Lawrence Taylor's failures reflect our own

Today's post is contributed by Women's Funding Network. As an expert resource, we would like to share timely information about the topic of sex trafficking. Victims of sex trafficking in central Indiana can receive support from The Julian Center and IPATH (the Indiana Protection of Abused and Trafficked Humans), which runs a 24-hour hotline: 1-800-928-6403.

We welcome your input and feedback on this post and this issue.

Contributed by Women's Funding Network

Hall of Fame linebacker and Dancing With the Stars personality, Lawrence Taylor, may face up to four years in jail. Taylor is accused of third degree rape after having paid for sex with a 16-year-old girl in May. His next court appearance was scheduled today, June 24.

The message of the story is not limited to a celebrity gone bad, wasting his fame and fortune as hardworking Americans struggle. The real American tragedy is it takes the alleged personal failure of an individual celebrity to shine a national spotlight on our collective failure as a society to protect our children.

Unfortunately, what allegedly occurred in a New York Holiday Inn hotel room is not an isolated incident.

Through coercion, abuse, and imprisonment, as many as 300,000 American children – particularly teen girls – are at risk for commercial sexual exploitation each year.

Women's Funding Network, in partnership with “A Future. Not A Past.,” recently released findings of a pilot study that explored the demand for adolescent girls who are commercially sexually exploited in Georgia. The “Demand Study” details a first-of-its-kind study to quantify, describe, and understand demand for commercial sexual exploitation in Georgia.

The numbers are staggering – 12,400 men pay for sex with a young female in Georgia every month. These men account for 8,700 paid sex acts with adolescent females each month, which means that each adolescent female is exploited an average of three times per day.

Unfortunately, Georgia isn’t the only state where girls are being commercially sexually exploited at alarming rates. Research found that in New York, 2,880 adolescent girls were commercially sexually exploited through Web sites, massage parlors, and escort services in February 2010. Of those, a strong majority, 67 percent, were commercially sexually exploited over the Internet.

In Michigan, 117 adolescent girls were commercially sexually exploited through Internet Web sites and escort services in February, 2010, and 87 percent of the teens were commercially sexually exploited through the Internet.

Sex traffickers and “johns” are clearly moving their activities off the streets and into the veil of anonymity that the Internet provides.

According to the complaint against Rasheed Davis – the 28-year-old man who allegedly pimped the teen girl to Lawrence Taylor – he took nearly nude cell phone photos of the 16-year-old girl and used them to connect with customers online.

It is time to have an open and honest conversation about what and who is sustaining this growing market.

Web sites must do more self-regulation to ensure minors are not commercially sexually exploited on their sites. If they don’t do enough, the public and government must intervene.

Hotels must also take action. Hotel staff members have to be trained on easy and acceptable corporate policies to report incidents of sex solicitation in their hotels, particularly when they believe a minor is involved. Similarly, hotel management needs to stress reporting such activity is expected. Hotel guests can also be made more alert by receiving information on warning signs and where to call to alert authorities — just by adding this information to their hotel key cards.

Businesses are not the only ones that have to make a shift.

As Taylor faces his day in court, the time is now to enforce zero tolerance for the commercial sexual exploitation of our children. We must move from denial to outrage to action. Our children are waiting, and they deserve no less.

Challenging what we know

Today's blog post is contributed by Raquel Richardson, OPTIONS Alumna, Class 6. We thank Raquel for sharing her perspective on a recent OPTIONS Alumnae event, a discussion of the novel Push, by Sapphire, inspiration for recent Academy Award Best Picture nominee, Precious.

By Raquel Richardson

Principal
Silver Square :: Marketing + Design

We know the sun will come up tomorrow. We know the leaves turn colors in the fall. We know the earth is round. We know the truth – until we don’t. Our world has a funny way of keeping us off balance and adding in those little idiosyncrasies that make us pause and take note, challenging what we know.

Then we are exposed to a story like Push, by Sapphire, which later turned into the award-winning movie Precious. Most of us go about our day thinking children are cared for, mother’s take care of their children, teachers hold our kids accountable and on and on. Then we realize, that’s not the truth.

Our latest OPTIONS Alumnae event conversed about the challenges, stereotypes, personal experiences, parenting fears and more in our discussion of this story. Anita Carpenter from the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault joined us to help facilitate the evening, and act as a mentor to us in our ability to find answers we could relate to, and ways in which we can take our talents and steps to ensure fewer and fewer children walk in a life like Precious.

Anita introduced us to a couple new ways to help teach our children to deal with uncomfortable situations:

1. Bystander Intervention. We can teach our children, and practice ourselves, to speak up when we witness others doing something they shouldn’t. Using simple phrases such as "that isn’t appropriate" or "we don’t allow that kind of language in our house" are effective and simple ways we can interrupt a situation;


2. Go tell a Mommy. My childhood advice when I felt like I needed to tell someone of authority something was to go talk to a police officer. That’s not realistic today. When a child is out at a mall, out with their friends or find themselves in a situation where they are lost or scared for any reason, they are told to go tell a Mommy. A Mommy will find an answer and take care of you.

Discussing this story, hearing comments from my peers and learning of the real-life cases Anita has experienced, brought a whole new awareness for me. It’s good to expand your personal comfort zone on topics you would otherwise not bring to your dinner table. Likewise, it’s good to hear how we can help. Thanks to other volunteers at the coalition, you can assist children in schools or on-call in hospitals once properly trained on these topics. If this is a personal cause of passion for you, take advantage of the training and help one child at a time never have to relate to Precious’s story.

Follow Raquel on Twitter @silversquare or join Silver Square's fan page www.facebook.com/graybox.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week

April 18-24 is National Crime Victims' Rights Week, a time focused on recognizing the rights of crime victims and raising awareness on ways to help victims.

Turning Point Domestic Violence Services in Columbus, Prevail Inc. in Hamilton County, and The Julian Center in Marion County are a few examples of central Indiana organizations helping victims of domestic violence. These organizations provide services ranging from shelter to counseling to legal services. One vital program Women's Fund has funded is the Grants to Encourage Arrests program, a partnership between Marion County law enforcement and The Julian Center. This program pairs an Outreach Advocate with a victim of domestic violence and is important to ensuring victims know their legal rights and can access services through comprehensive on-scene support provided by the advocate (see our blog post on this topic).

One story recently receiving national attention is that of Michelle Corrao, Director of Community Relations at Prevail. Corrao was awarded the Special Courage Award by US Attorney General Eric Holder and is the first Indiana resident to receive the award. A victim of a a violent crime, she has turned her tragic circumstances into a personal mission to help other victims and raise awareness. Through her work with Prevail the past seven years, she has been instrumental in working with the Prosecutor’s office to set up a Sexual Assault Response Team (SANE) in Hamilton County, among many other accomplishments.

Thanks to courageous women such as Corrao and important programs like Grants to Encourage Arrests, domestic violence victims can access help with professionals who are attuned to their needs and challenges. It is important not only to provide these services to victims but to stop violence before it starts. With preventative measures such as Heather's Law recently signed in Indiana, we are making positive strides. However, there is much more to be done, which is why Women's Fund is currently focused on domestic violence through our grantmaking. And, we hope others will join us in this effort.

New Law Designed to Prevent Teen Violence

Over the years, Central Indiana has experienced an increase in teen girls who are in more violent relationships. In 2005, 13.5% of Indiana high school girls reported they had experienced dating violence (had been hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend) in the last 12 months. This translates to approximately 5,000 Indianapolis area girls, ages 15-18, who experienced dating violence in one year alone.

As advocates for the prevention of teen violence and keeping our community's children safe, Women’s Fund was pleased to learn that on Monday, Governor Mitch Daniels signed “Heather’s Law” – a bill enabling schools to address dating violence through education programs and policies for girls and boys in grades 6 through 12. This was a great collaboration between many partners who developed Heather’s Law, demonstrating the importance of addressing this issue and reinforcing the importance of partnering to create change.

Violence among dating teenagers permeates many high schools and homes and cuts across every socioeconomic group. Teen violence is not new; however, it is a silent matter most adults do not recognize or accept easily, and therefore is not easily discussed and addressed. Teen violence proliferates from adult violence, often causing young children to repeat actions – or become victims of abuse. In fact, children witness 75% of all domestic violence incidents, and are, in turn, 1,500% more likely to become victims themselves.

Education is key. Heather’s Law has reinforced the importance of education and helping children – many of whom are in relationships for the first time and therefore don’t know and understand what constitutes healthy relationships. Women’s Fund has long supported community efforts that prevent violence, including funding a program through Ruth Lilly Heath Education Center designed to teach every IPS 5th and 7th grade student about healthy relationships annually for three years. In its final year, this program has become a national model and students have demonstrated increased knowledge of healthy relationships. This program, along with Heather's Law, are critical steps to reducing and ending violence among teens, and ultimately stopping its demonstrative cycle.

As a community, we must find a way to protect more young people from violence. While Heather’s Law requires the schools to take action, I believe it is the responsibility of everyone to take an active role in educating and supporting young children. It should be our role as adults to serve as mentors and positive role models so our children recognize abusive behavior and feel empowered to get help. What will you do to make a difference?

Inspired by a Victim of Child Abuse

Last week I attended a kick-off event for Child Abuse Prevention Month, hosted in partnership by Prevent Child Abuse America, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana and The Villages. Throughout the event, child advocates spoke about the importance of child abuse prevention and the devastating cycle of domestic violence. Statistics shared were stark. Each year, more than 20,000 Hoosier children are abused and neglected – that equates to 56 children being harmed every day and one child each week losing his or her young life to child abuse.

After hearing from Ebony, a young victim of child abuse and neglect, I realized we are all responsible for keeping Indiana’s children safe and secure. We are all responsible for treasuring, protecting, nurturing and teaching our children.

Walking away from the event I felt empowered to do something – to do something that could positively impact the life of a child. As I drove back to the office I thought about some of the programs Women’s Fund recently shared in a meeting with the Indianapolis Star – programs they fund that significantly impact the success of our city’s children. Programs such as Project Home Indy, which provides shelter for homeless pregnant teens; Juvenile Justice Program through Peace Learning Center, which teaches girls at Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility conflict resolution skills; and a program through Ruth Lilly Health Education Center that teaches all IPS 5th and 7th graders healthy relationships.

Indirectly, as an OPTIONS alumnae and donor to Women’s Fund, I am doing something to make a difference. My contribution is impacting programs that Women’s Fund supports. Their grants focused on insufficient income, inadequate caregiving choices and domestic abuse in the home are truly helping create a better life for women and children in our community. As I look for opportunities to do more, I will look to Women’s Fund to help me make a strategic, smart decision so I can continue to help girls like Ebony succeed. As an expert resource regarding issues impacting women and girls in central Indiana I have no doubt Women’s Fund will steer me in the right direction so I can continue making a difference for young girls in our community.

Raising Awareness for Issues We Care About

As I walked into the CICF offices at the English Foundation Building today, I was greeted by four colorful banners with smiling faces on them. After looking more closely, I realized the banners featured people who lost their lives to domestic violence. Disheartening as this was, I found assurance from this effort to raise awareness about an issue Women's Fund cares deeply about, and to point to a resource many do not know about: 2-1-1.

Today is 2-1-1 Day. For those not familiar with 2-1-1, think of it as 9-1-1 for social service needs. It is a national dialing code, accessible in many areas nationwide (click here to access Indiana's 2-1-1 site). 2-1-1 Connect2Help locally fields calls for individuals in central Indiana needing direct assistance in areas of health and human service, helping provide information and assistance around food, utilities, shelter, counseling, and finding safety from violent situations. The call center has bilingual personnel and is open 24 hours a day.

I have not needed to utilize Connect2Help's services. However, women we strive to help through Women's Fund grants have. I’m glad women who need help have a place to call when they need it. Connect2Help refers callers to many Women's Fund grantees in our funding focus areas of caregiving, domestic violence, and insufficient income.

Domestic violence is one area that is more prevalent than we’d like. Domestic violence calls fielded by 2-1-1 in 2007-08 increased 33% from the prior year. 2-1-1 is able to direct women in violent situations to organizations like Women's Fund grantee The Julian Center (serving Marion County).

It’s important to raise awareness about the needs – and the available resources in our community – by celebrating events such as 2-1-1 Day and through other attention-getters, such as the banners at the English Foundation Building. I am excited about Women's Fund's role as an expert resource for issues impacting women and girls in central Indiana, and our efforts to raise awareness. How are you raising awareness for issues you care about?

Healthy Relationships: Among Many Ways to be Healthy

Recently we posted a question to our Women's Fund Facebook fans: "What makes you feel fit and healthy?" It was awesome to see the diverse responses of many of our fans (click here to see). It is so important to keep our health top-of-mind. Many things can come between us and good health; it depends on our eating habits, exercise, strong relationships, mental fitness, and more. I'm glad that there are campaigns to help us think about certain aspects of our health, such as breast or heart health. For example, February 5th was "Go Red for Women" day, where people wore red to raise awareness for women's heart health.

Last week, I had an opportunity to go to the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center, along with OPTIONS Alumnae member Melissa Averitt. Women's Fund provided a transformational grant of $150,000 in 2006 for the center to provide healthy relationships programming to all Indianapolis Public Schools 5th and 7th graders twice per year over three years. This is truly an amazing program focusing on an important area of overall health and well-being. We hope that this program will help break the cycle of domestic violence.

Melissa interviewed President Julian Peebles, Program Director Diana Ruschhaupt, and IPS School 39 5th grade teacher Aksa Shami, who shared the impact this program has made on students. Click here to learn more about "STOP: Know What's Right" for 5th graders and here to learn more about "STOP: No Excuse for Abuse" for 7th graders.

We heard that teachers strongly believe in the program, students are enjoying it, and Ruth Lilly Health Education Center receives requests for the program to be expanded to other schools (they need more funding to do so). Because of this program, students have an awareness of what constitutes a healthy relationship and what doesn't. And, the innovative way the center delivers the program holds their interest. Rick, an IPS middle school teacher, told Diana "With the use of technology, music, statistics, and real-life scenarios, the instructors' interactive program allows the class to explore and think critically about the subject matter."

I love that Women's Fund supports of this important program for girls and boys in IPS Schools. And, I appreciate the great work of Ruth Lilly Health Education Center to provide high-quality programs for youth in our community.

‘Tis the Season for Joy; Not Pain

I recently read an article about the increased rate of domestic violence during the holidays, which really breaks my heart. The holidays are supposed to be filled with fun with family and friends, not a time for living in fear of violence. I can’t help wonder if holiday stress, stretched finances and increased alcohol consumption at holiday parties affect relationships and individual attitudes. I must confess I have found myself fighting back my own road rage recently – only to remind myself that the holidays are a time for cheer and joy, not frustration.

“Holiday stress” is no excuse for abuse (nothing is). If you – or someone you know, are in an abusive situation, it’s important to get help. Talk to a friend, stay at a relative’s house or take advantage of the many local resources we have available. Below are three places I’ve become more familiar with through working with Women’s Fund.

• The Julian Center – provides shelter, counseling and education for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other life crisis.
• Prevail, Inc. – provides support and programs to victims of domestic violence in Hamilton and surrounding counties. They also staff a 24-hour crisis line: 317.776.3472. Their mission is to provide advocacy, awareness, support services and education to victims of crime and individuals and families in crisis.
• Turning Point Domestic Violence Services – provides support to women, men and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They have a 22-bed emergency shelter, the provide education, prevention and training programs; and they have a 24-help line: 1.800.221.6311.

No matter the reason; no matter the season; I truly believe there is no excuse for abuse! I’m glad to know Women’s Fund is supporting these organizations so victims of abuse can find help – and hope.

OPTIONS Alumnae Reconnect

Tonight a dynamic group of 65 OPTIONS Alumnae gathered for an informative and social event. These women, from nine OPTIONS classes, represent a diverse cross-section of the community, including business and medical professionals, nonprofit employees, and community volunteers. As the ninth class of OPTIONS concludes and we head into the tenth anniversary year for this philanthropy education program, this was a fitting way to celebrate this year and launch into the next.

Some highlights from the event were:

• A presentation from two advocates from The Julian Center's Domestic Violence and Indianapolis Metro Police Department partnership. The advocates shared moving stories of real victims they have helped and encouraged everyone to offer support to anyone they think might be in a violent situation. If you are interested in a presentation for a group, contact the Julian Center at 317.941.2200.
  
• Kicking off the 10th Anniversary of the OPTIONS program, with appreciation to Jane Salentine for her leadership of the group in recent years, and welcoming Lindsey Rabinowitch as the 2010 OPTIONS Alumnae president.
• An announcement from OPTIONS Class Nine about the three grants they awarded in their final class session.
  
• Fantastic food, Barefoot wine, and great giveaways from Saks (for more information about a December 3rd Women's Fund event at Saks, click here).
• Women's Fund updates from Jennifer Pope Baker, including highlights of the leadership OPTIONS Alumnae members are providing in other areas of Women's Fund, such as Julie Manning Magid as Advisory Board Vice Chair in 2010 and Chair in 2012.
• An opportunity to complete a survey to guide next year's activities.
• A drawing to win an OPTIONS Alumnae "Favorite Things" basket, with gift certificates, a candle, picture frames, clips, and more! See the picture, right, for a peek at the basket.
• Sign-ups to become a 2010 Alumnae member. If you are an OPTIONS Alumnae and would like to join, click here to donate online.
  

The buzz was all around the room, as women reconnected with former OPTIONS classmates and met women from other classes. Thanks to the OPTIONS Alumnae Committee for putting on another great event!

Lessons for a Lifetime

Power of Girls participants had a great time last Saturday at this ninth event hosted through a partnership between Women's Fund, The Julian Center, and Indianapolis Power & Light (for more information, click here to go to Ann Murtlow's recent blog post, or here to go to our website).

What did participants learn at Power of Girls? How were they impacted? So many of the "take aways" from this program go well beyond the day of the event... and even the responses we received that day are pretty powerful! Here are reflections from both girl and adult attendees:

"What one thing sticks in your mind from the Healthy Relationships session?

• "How, when I was in two abusive relationships that the cycle would go again and again, and how I can recognize the signs." - Local 13-year-old girl

"Do you feel that your participation today has made a difference in the life of your daughter?"

• "I think the participation in today's event has made my daughter more aware of women's needs in the community and the lessons learned in the healthy relationships seminar will make a strong difference in her life; it will open doors for healthy relationships now and in the future." - Mother attending with her 14-year-old

"What was the most valuable part of the day for you?"

• "Seeing my daughter be a part of the process to learn of needs and experience the process of allocating donations." - Mother attending with her 15-year-old

"Do you feel you made a difference in the lives of others today? How?"

• "Just seeing the happiness and joy of the mothers and children (at the Julian Center) made you feel like you accomplished something great." - Ninth grade girl

Do you know someone who could benefit from this meaningful program focused on learning about healthy relationships, needs of the central Indiana community, and philanthropy? Our next event will be in 2010; contact me at abigailc@cicf.org if you would like us to send you information!

Discovering “Did You Knows”

I truly have had a great time getting to know Women’s Fund better over the past few months. Yes, I went through OPTIONS several years ago. Yes, I know several of the organizations who benefit from Women’s Fund grants. Yes, I have a few friends on committees and/or the board. But I’ve discovered some new things I didn’t know (or maybe didn’t remember). Take, for example, some of these “did you knows” that I’ve discovered – or rediscovered.

• Grants: I was familiar with the fact that Women’s Fund supports women and girls in Central Indiana. However, I didn’t recall their primary focus on caregiving, domestic violence and insufficient income. The even greater “did you know” … Women's Fund has awarded a total of 236 grants totaling $3,244,077 to 89 different organizations since its inception in May 1999. This year alone they granted over $330,000 to 13 organizations. Wow!


• Programs: I was familiar with OPTIONS because I went through the program, but what I didn’t know was some of the specifics about their other philanthropic educational programs, such as GO: Give Back and Power of Girls – programs specifically designed to teach youth about philanthropy and giving back to the community.


• Research: I was familiar with their “Still On Shaky Ground” reports, but I find the work, passion and commitment to research on the critical issues facing women and girls in our community remarkable. Again, my “did you know” moment was realizing that the research and key findings help form Women’s Fund priorities when making grants.


• Funding: This isn’t a “did you know” defining moment, but it was a great reminder, Women’s Fund continues to fund programs that improve the lives of women and girls in our community, but in order to do so, they need our help. They can’t continue to fund at the level they have been if we don’t continue to fund them. “Did you know” you can donate online now too?

I look forward to discovering even more about Women’s Fund -- about the organizations they support and the programs they develop; their research and key findings; and how Women’s Fund will continue to make an even greater impact in the work they do throughout the community.

Power of Girls: A Life-Changing Experience

Power of Girls is a one-of-a-kind program providing a unique opportunity to learn lessons that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Since March 2004, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana has partnered with Indianapolis Power & Light Company and the Julian Center to host eight Power of Girls events. Power of Girls IX will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009. Over the course of a six hour period, participants:

• Learn what constitutes healthy relationships, recognize the signs of abusive ones, and learn how to get out of a destructive relationship before it’s too late.
• Learn about all forms of philanthropy and how to help.
• Hear a summary of current research about problems faced by women in our community and how Women’s Fund is helping in a very special way.
• Understand what the Julian Center does, how it is funded and the cost of providing its services.
• Hear how the Julian Center is changing the lives of many women in our community that simply have no where else to go.
• Meet and do a project with shelter residents and tour the facility.
• (Girl participants) Grant approximately $3000 to the Julian Center for purposes that they decide based on what they've learned about the Center during the day.
• (Adult participants) Watch girls present the grant and explain their rationale for choosing particular services or programs to support.

There are several things that make this event so special:

1. It targets teenage girls, ages 13 to 16, at a critical time in their journey toward relationship building and teaches them some very valuable and practical lessons about healthy and not‐so‐healthy relationships.
2. 17 adult/girl couples participate, making this an intimate and interactive session.
3. Although a girl can attend with her mom, she may also attend with an aunt, grandmother or other special woman in her life.

The cost per couple is $250. While this may sound pricey, I assure you this program provides tremendous value and an unforgettable experience ; the fee is also tax deductible. For full details and to register, please download the brochure by clicking here or calling 317.634.2423. Spaces are limited and are first-come, first-served, so register soon.

I can’t recommend this program highly enough. I attended with my daughter in 2004 and I encourage you to participate with your daughter or special teenage girl. You won’t regret it – in fact, it just may change your life… and hers.

Friendships Made; Experiences Gained – Your OPTION

Recruiting for OPTIONS Class 10 already? It doesn’t seem that long ago that I participated - eight years goes by quickly. Back then I was eager to learn; eager to make a difference. I wanted to participate in every leadership and community program offered. OPTIONS was one of several – and the one that had the greatest impact on me.

Times have changed and community needs may be different, but I’m certain Women’s Fund has adapted in order to continue strengthening OPTIONS and making it a meaningful experience for participants. Just to be sure, I called a friend. Tonia Lotz, community volunteer, OPTIONS Class 9. Our conversation reinforced what I was thinking.

OPTIONS:

• is a wonderful way to meet and network with like-minded women. We made great friendships and connections – not just with classmates, but with community leaders.


• opened our eyes to other organizations. We had been involved with nonprofits, but we agreed our knowledge was pretty limited until OPTIONS. We were introduced to organizations we didn’t know existed.


• challenged the way we thought about philanthropy. It helped us understand when, where, why and how to give in order to make the greatest impact.


• site visits provided powerful messages and often intense experiences. We were both impacted by our visit to the Women’s Prison. Tonia also talked about Girls, Inc. and how impressed she was by the girls' confidence. I recalled the Julian Center and how shocked I was at how many women and children were affected by domestic violence.

Friends, knowledge and incredible experiences – that’s what we remember most from OPTIONS. Consider applying and inviting others to join you. It’s an experience you truly won’t forget.

E-mail me at kelly@baisecommunications.com if you want to talk more about OPTIONS.

Shining a Light on a Quiet Issue

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Thanks to initiatives like Shattering the Silence, led by Angela Caine at WTHR Channel 13, domestic violence is more openly discussed in our community. As one of our primary funding areas, Women's Fund welcomes opportunities to shine a light on domestic violence and its impact on our community. Last week, Women's Fund awarded a total of $105,000 to three organizations providing direct service to victims of domestic violence: The Julian Center, Prevail, Inc. and Turning Point.

Connect 2 Help and Domestic Violence Network founded the Domestic Violence Navigation Hub (2-1-1) in 2003 to field domestic abuse calls in central Indiana. For the 2008-2009 year, Connect 2 Help's "Domestic Abuse on the Rise" reports:

• 3,682 recorded domestic abuse calls, a 5% increase from the previous year.
• The violence is increasing, with 20 domestic violence fatalities.
• There has been a 65% increase in the number of child abuse-related calls in homes were domestic violence is also reported.

Women's Fund research shows that children who witness domestic violence incidents, and those in homes where domestic violence is present, are 1,500% more likely to become victims themselves.

Domestic violence persists in central Indiana and impacts the health of our children, families and entire community. It is a quiet issue we tend to tiptoe around because we believe "it doesn't happen in my neighborhood," yet it knows no boundary by income level, educational level, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. It's hard to imagine a neighbor or friend is experiencing this terrible violence, but it is happening more than we think. Will you join Women's Fund and help shine a light on this quiet issue?

If you or anyone you know is a victim of abuse, call 2-1-1 immediately.

Funding Cut; Women’s Fund Refuses to See Women at Risk

This week I learned from Women's Fund that they are involved in trying to save a critical program in our community. Women's Fund stepped in after the Julian Center learned the Department of Justice is cutting funding for "The Grants to Encourage Arrests" program – a program credited with having a significant impact on saving lives and keeping women safe. Without this funding, six family violence advocates and officers who respond daily to domestic violence calls will lose their jobs. Without this funding, a partnership between IMPD and the Julian Center will cease to exist. Without this funding, women and children in our community are in danger. It's sad to know we are putting women and children at risk.

Last year alone, more than 2,000 women received help through this program. I hate to think what would happen if this program didn’t exist.

I think it's great to know that Women's Fund is committed to keeping women and children safe - and that their Advisory Board approved an emergency grant of $30,000 for the first month of support in order to prevent layoffs and help keep the program afloat.

The loss from this cut is nearly $360,000 ($30,000/month). Women’s Fund is now seeking others to join them in providing one month of support toward the Julian Center. If, as a community, we can secure a full-year of funding, the Julian Center can be strategic and thoughtful in their approach for finding replacement funds. I truly hope it happens, and I look forward to seeing who else will support this effort. Will it be you?

Domestic violence is too important for us to ignore. In fact, it's one of Women's Fund's focus areas. This is a timely topic too: October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. That's why we will dedicate much of October's blog to this issue.

Visit this blog throughout October to find out what happens to this program (let's hope for full funding) and other important topics related to Domestic Violence.

Go Girl!

Driving home from a meeting with Women’s Fund, I found myself comparing them to an event I participated in over the weekend. On Saturday, I was one of 500 women who participated in the Go Girl Triathlon, an event benefiting the Julian Center (I can't believe I'm actually posting a picture from the race, but there I am).

At the triathlon, women and girls cheered each other on. “Go Girl, Go” was a common chant throughout the race. Women of all ages enthusiastically supported and encouraged each other along the course. Women empowered one another and lifted each other up. The energy and excitement was an incredible experience.

So, how does that compare to Women’s Fund? Simple. Women’s Fund awards grants that encourage and inspire hope to women and girls in central Indiana. They are the support and encouragement that organizations need to ‘keep going’ and to ‘finish the race’.

As I sat in traffic, my mind wandered and I thought about some of the women in our community who inspire and empower women and girls with grants from Women’s Fund. I smiled as I thought about how they cheer for the women and girls in our community.

I can see:

• Sharon Pierce, president & CEO, The Villages, saying “Go Girl” to a teen who suffered abuse, yet overcame tragedy and graduated from high school.


• Pat Wachtel, executive director, Girls, Inc., high-fiving a young girl as she crossed the finish line driving the soap box derby car she made at camp.


• Niki Girls, executive director, Concord Neighborhood Center, cheering on a team of girls playing basketball, soccer or softball.

And the list goes on.

What women do you know who empower women and girls? I’d like to know so I can say “Go Girl” and Thanks!

Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence: Educating Children

Hi - it's Jennifer ... We have read a lot lately on the front page of The Indianapolis Star about extreme domestic violence; it seems like idyllic families and neighborhoods have been shattered by unimaginable violence. It makes me feel fortunate to be a part of a family where everyone treats each other with kindness and respect ... and, when my children don't, they learn through reasonable and appropriate consequences.

The domestic violence statistics continue to be staggering. The only thing new to me lately is the attention the most recent violence has received in the media. Unfortunately, domestic violence occurs every day all across this city; families of every socio-economic background experience violence in their homes. Why?

We know children imitate their parents in all we do ... the good and the bad. Our actions speak louder than our words. What if our words and our actions are loud and harmful? If a child grows up in a home where people scream, yell, hit, isolate, degrade, punish, etc. how will they know this isn't okay. If the only behaviors modeled are negative, children will expect to be treated this way in other relationship and will also use these same actions in how they communicate.

I am really proud of a $150,000 grant Women's Fund gave to the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center (RLHEC) two years ago for them to provide three-years of healthy relationships programming to 5th and 7th graders in IPS. The partnership with IPS is important because they do not have funding available to access this sort of programming. RLHEC created a curriculum to help the students learn to recognize appropriate behaviors and what to do if they are currently in or someday are part of an unhealthy relationship. Over a period of three school years, RLHEC will deliver this program to each 5th grader and each 7th grader one time a year; in year three the seventh graders will be having a great follow-up lesson.

It is the hope of Women's Fund that this programming will help break the cycle of violence. Every time a child has the opportunity to learn a positive behavior or a better way to respond to someone else's negative behavior, they have one more chance at a better life.

If you or someone you know is in danger, please seek help. The best place to start is by calling 2-1-1.

Thank you for your interest in and support of Women's Fund.