Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault / Public News Service

Engaging Men addresses bringing men into the conversation both as survivors of sexual violence and as allies. (Adobe Stock)

'Engaging Men' Brings New Voices into Sexual-Violence Dialogue

An initiative at one Ohio nonprofit is taking on the topic of men and sexual violence. There is a false notion men are not experiencing sexual …

The Giffords Law Center says nearly 56% of all suicide deaths in Indiana involve firearms. Gun-control advocates say that's another reason why it's important to limit access to firearms. (Adobe Stock)<br />

IN Group: Restricting Gun Access Could Help Prevent Suicides

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, and Indiana advocates pushing for stricter gun laws say access to firearms should get more attention…

Abortions are still legal in Pennsylvania through the 23rd week of pregnancy. (TRAC1/Adobe Stock)

PA Groups' Call to Action for Reproductive Rights

In about a month, the Pennsylvania General Assembly revisits a controversial proposal with five separate amendments to the state Constitution…

Minnesota's Safe at Home program began operating in 2007. (Adobe Stock)

New MN Law Enhances Confidentiality Program for Abuse Victims

A new Minnesota law has gone into effect this week involving a program that keeps address information confidential for victims of domestic abuse…

Some abusers use gaslighting and control tactics to undermine their partner's ability to leave. (Adobe Stock)

Domestic Violence, Addiction and Mental Health: Unraveling a Complex Web

New work is being done in Ohio to help free people who are caught in the complex web of domestic violence, addiction and mental health. Cheryl Stahl…

Domestic violence experts say it can take seven attempts for a victim to permanently leave their situation. (Adobe Stock)

ND Groups Navigate Challenges to Expand Crime Victim Aid

Non-profits assisting North Dakota crime victims are trying to maintain services they've been building in recent years. As demand reaches pre-…

If passed by Congress, military survivors of sexual trauma could receive peer-support services at their local Veterans Affairs office. There are more than a dozen offices throughout Connecticut. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Bill Offers Peer Support to Military Sexual-Assault Survivors

Bipartisan federal legislation introduced this week would provide more personalized mental health services to survivors of military sexual assault and…

Wyoming-based Chelsea's Fund provides financial support for women seeking an abortion, and also is accepting donations. (Adobe Stock)

Post-Roe Resources Available for Wyoming Women

Abortion is on course to be illegal in Wyoming after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade Friday. Justices ruled the 50-year …

More than one-third of Victim Services workers in Ohio say they don't have enough paid time off from their jobs to maintain a work-life balance. (Adobe Stock)

Burnout, Inadequate Pay Plague Ohio's Victim Services Workforce

Ohioans who work, day in and day out, with some of the most vulnerable populations are struggling with major burnout, according to new data. Program …

The same conditions creating poverty can increase risk factors for intimate-partner violence. (Adobe Stock)

Economic Supports as a Pathway to Violence Prevention

Economic supports could be the key to reducing intimate-partner violence, which claims the lives of dozens of Ohioans each year. Research from the …

The Chicago Police Department reported recovering 458 ghost guns in 2021, up from 139 in 2020. (Adobe Stock)">

IL Governor Signs Ban on 'Ghost Guns'

Illinois has a new law banning the sale and possession of "ghost guns," essentially untraceable firearms that are sold in kit-form online or at gun sh…

About one in four women and nearly one in 10 men have experienced physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

New KY Law Aims to Improve Domestic-Violence Homicide Tracking

Kentucky will soon begin developing a coordinated, statewide system for reporting crimes related to intimate-partner violence. Gov. Andy Beshear's …

More than 600,000 children received a child protective services investigation response or alternative response nationwide in 2020, according to the Department of Health and Human Services Child Maltreatment Report. (Adobe Stock)

New KY Law Clarifies Definition of Child Abuse

Gov. Andy Beshear has signed legislation clarifying the definition of child abuse and neglect, and allowing the state to move faster on suspected …

The Power of a Collective Voice to End Sexual Violence

Justice for survivors, removing a legal loophole for spousal rape and age-appropriate sexual violence education are the policy priorities Ohio …

Federal law requires data on crime victims to include information on crimes committed against people with disabilities. (Artur/Adobe Stock)

Developmental Disabilities Council: MO Needs Inclusive Sex-Ed Project

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and groups are advocating for comprehensive sexual education for everyone, including folks …

Blue pinwheels, the symbol for Child Abuse Prevention Month, represent carefree childhoods. (Fotoluminate LLC/Adobe Stock)

Idaho High-School Students Speak about Child-Abuse Prevention

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlighting ways people can help stop abuse in their communities, and at one Idaho high school, students are …

Estimates suggest that in 2018, more than 20,000 service members were sexually assaulted, but there only were slightly more than 6,000 reports. (Ovidiu lordachi/Adobe Stock)

Veteran Women's Center Underscores Toxic Culture in Maine National Guard

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and advocates are urging more accountability for responding to sexual assault…

In 2008, the pinwheel was introduced as the new national symbol for child-abuse prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Child Abuse Prevention: Navigating the Warning Signs

In an era of heightened mental-health awareness, authorities and youth advocates in South Dakota say it is key not to lose sight of signs of child …

School-aged children can develop a host of problems from witnessing domestic violence, including psychosomatic complaints and poor school performance, and also are more likely to experience guilt and shame about the abuse, according to research published in the American Family Physician. (Adobe Stock)

KY Bill Would Expand Jobless Benefits to Those Fleeing Domestic Violence

Kentucky lawmakers are considering a bill to expand eligibility for unemployment benefits to victims of domestic violence. House Bill 83 would …

On April 22, AARP Wyoming will hold paper-shredding events in Sheridan, Rock Springs and Cheyenne, where folks can bring their personal documents to be safely discarded. (Adobe Stock)

Breaking the Silence on Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is experienced by at least one in 10 people aged 60 and older who live at home, and AARP Wyoming is working to ensure people have the …

Worker turnover at children's services agencies is linked to increased time kids spend in foster care. <br />(Adobe Stock)

Worker Turnover: Stakes High in Children's Services

While workforce shortages are plaguing nearly every field these days, the stakes are particularly high for Ohio's county children's services agencies…

Doctors, judges, juries and law enforcement have rejected a dozen child abuse diagnoses made by former University of Wisconsin pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox, a joint investigation by Wisconsin Watch and the Anchorage Daily News revealed. (Claire DeRosa/Wisconsin Watch and University of Wisconsin)

Investigation Reveals Numerous Wrongful Child-Abuse Allegations by WI Expert

By Brenda Wintrode for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Jonah Chester for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for Wisconsin Watch-Public News Serv…

Sexual violence is suffered disproportionately by women of color, people with disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQ. (Adobe Stock)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Education is Prevention

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and Ohioans are encouraged to become allies for survivors. Nearly one in five women …

Children who are incarcerated are less likely to graduate from high school and find employment later in life. (Adobe Stock)

Incarceration Data Shows Juvenile Justice System Off Mission in Nebraska

Nearly a quarter-million children were incarcerated in the U.S. in 2019, about five times more than annual point-in-time counts, according to a new …

Senate Bill 215 is the latest law loosening gun restrictions in Ohio. In April 2021, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 175, the

OH 'Constitutional Carry' Bill Worries Domestic-Violence Survivor Advocates

By Halena SepulvedaBroadcast version by Emily Scott reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Even though Ohio has been …

In the United States, one in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate-partner physical violence. (Adobe Stock)

New Grants Part of Evolution of Domestic-Violence Work in MN

Clarification: Standpoint serves more than 6,000 people each year. An earlier version of the story used provided data, which noted it served 511 …

Fifty-nine percent of Black domestic-violence survivors surveyed said they avoided calling the police out of fear of further violence from their abuser. (Adobe Stock)

Marginalized Survivors Report Bias When Seeking Help in Ohio

A new survey reveals instances of bias in the ways police, courts and social services respond to domestic-violence survivors in Ohio in times of …

South Dakota is looking to join neighboring states in broadening the language under laws dealing with criminal sexual contact. (Adobe Stock)

SD Looks to Bolster Law Surrounding Sexual Contact

A few words not included in South Dakota's law dealing with criminal sexual contact came to light in a recent investigation, and now, child-…

About half of Idaho children have had at least one adverse childhood experience. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

ID Resolution Recognizes Impact of Traumatic Childhood Experiences

A resolution making its way through the Idaho Legislature encourages educating state officials and agencies on the impact of traumatic childhood event…

A new Consent Toolkit has tips for educators, caregivers and parents, for instance, how to respond if a student discloses that they've experienced sexual violence. (Bailey Krestakos/Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health)

Toolkit Provides Resources for Teaching Consent in Grades K-5

A new toolkit for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade provides resources for teaching about issues of consent and healthy relationships…

Undocumented immigrants, youths involved in the juvenile-justice or foster-care system, and people with substance-use disorders are at higher risk for human trafficking, according to the Polaris Project. (Adobe Stock)

TN Hotline Received More than 1,000 Human-Trafficking Tips in 2021

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and state public health officials said it is important to recognize the warning signs and risk …

Victims of labor and sexual trafficking often are kept isolated as a method of control. (Adobe Stock)

Human Trafficking Happens in Our Backyard

Modern-day slavery exists in the form of human trafficking, and Ohio is among the top states with high rates of the crime. Traffickers use force or …

Stalkers sometimes target friends, family, or new romantic partners of their primary victim. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Survivor Speaks Out: Stand Up to Stalking

Nicole Bialko of Columbus is among the one-in-six women who've experienced stalking. And she's sharing her story to encourage other victims to stand …

Tornado damage in western Kentucky continues to affect the operations of domestic-violence shelters in the region. (Tori Henninger)

Experts: Natural Disasters Increase Risk of Domestic Violence, Abuse

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Shelters in western Kentucky face ongoing challenges helping domestic-violence survivors as communities continue to clean up …

South Dakota's two metropolitan areas are separated by 350 miles, which leaves an estimated 80% of the state lacking trained medical personnel to handle sexual-assault cases. (Adobe Stock)

SD Expands Nurses' Network to Aid Sexual-Assault Survivors

For the most part, rural parts of South Dakota have gone without specialized nurses who help treat survivors of sexual assault. But underserved areas …

About three in five kids in foster care return home to their parents or other family members.<br />(avtk/Adobe Stock)

Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 3: The Future

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In a system plagued by a history of disparities, Ohio's child-welfare workers and children's advocates say it is time to reimagine …

An estimated 181,000 children and families in Pennsylvania were served through Child Protective Services in 2020, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Child-Abuse Cases in PA Rose in 2020

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- With kids stuck at home early in the pandemic, a new report said child-abuse cases decreased in 2020, but children's advocates say …

Black children represent 36% of the children in foster care in Ohio, while they represent 14% of children in the general population. (Adobe Stock)

The Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 1: History

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Children Services is tasked with protecting the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and families, but some experts say …

Between two and four years after aging out of foster care, 46% of young people had not finished high school, 51% were unemployed and 84% became parents. (Adobe Stock)

Resources for Foster Youths During Holidays

OMAHA, Neb. -- Some 24,000 teenagers in foster care across the nation officially become adults each year; in Nebraska it happens on their 19th …

Michigan state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, a survivor of domestic violence, is among the lawmakers who have introduced a package of domestic violence prevention bills. (Michigan Progressive Women's Caucus)

Bills Introduced to Prevent MI Domestic Violence, Support Survivors

DETROIT -- Domestic Violence Awareness Month may have come to a close, but efforts in Michigan to prevent violence and protect survivors are ongoing…

Just four of 19 Nebraska law-enforcement agencies surveyed do not currently employ a multilingual officer. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Law Enforcement Behind on Language Accessibility

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Not one law-enforcement agency in Nebraska is meeting all U.S. Department of Justice guidance and best practices on how to provide …

Incarcerated women who participated in the Prisoners Too art project hug in front of the installation at a South Carolina prison. (South Carolina Department of Corrections)<br />

Project to Bring Healing from Sexual Assault Behind Bars

BALTIMORE - This month marks the four-year anniversary of the #MeToo movement, and an art project aims to help incarcerated survivors heal by telling …

Congress passed Savanna's Act in 2020 to improve data collection on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Sonyachny/Adobe Stock)

NV Summit Highlights Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Today, a virtual summit hosted by the Las Vegas Mayor's Faith Initiative looks at the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous …

In addition to abuse and neglect, a new study says economically disadvantaged children have a risk of premature death that is 1.9 times higher than other socioeconomic groups. (Adobe Stock)

Study Underscores SD Efforts to Minimize Impact of Child Abuse

PIERRE, S.D. -- A new study links premature deaths in adulthood with people who experience abuse as children, and South Dakota groups say it …

Worldwide, it's estimated that nearly 40% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners. (Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence)

Groups Urge Congress to Renew Protections for Domestic-Violence Survivors

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Advocates for ending domestic violence urged Congress to renew the Violence Against Women Act and other federal legislation …

The Violence Against Women Act has been stalled in the U.S. Senate since it expired in 2019. (nito/Adobe Stock)

Creating Space for LGBTQ Illinoisans to Discuss Domestic Violence

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and advocates want to shed more light on how Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual…

According to data from the Department of Justice, an estimated 33% of rapes are committed by a current or former partner. (Adobe Stock)

Renewal of Federal Legislation Urged to Protect Domestic-Violence Survivors

CONCORD, N.H. -- Advocates for ending domestic violence urged Congress to renew the Violence Against Women Act and other federal legislation …

As many as one in four U.S. women and one in nine men are domestic violence victims, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Statewide Survey Seeks Input from KY Domestic Violence Survivors

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence has launched a statewide survey for Domestic Violence Awareness Month to better …

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