The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (CICF), and University of Richmond are co-sponsoring the fifth Basic Virginia Victim Assistance Academy from June17-22, 2012 at the University of Richmond. Applications are being accepted through Monday, March 19, 2012.

The Virginia Victim Assistance Academy is a week-long intensive course of study that requires a substantial commitment on the part of all faculty, staff and student participants. The Academy offers a rare opportunity to live, work, study and interact with allied professionals and victim service providers.

The Academy is open to individuals who live or work in Virginia and potential students are required to submit applications to attend the Academy. Successful applicants will be required to attend all sessions of the Academy, and will also be required to complete some work prior to the Academy. This Academy is designed for students with less than three years of experience working with victims.

The Academy registration fee is $150.00 and includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners, refreshment breaks in addition to training materials and lodging.

To be considered for admission, interested individuals should submit applications to DCJS by 11:59 p.m. on March 19, 2012. The application is available online at https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/trainingevents/victims/vvaapp/index.cfm

Upcoming WATCH Webinar Training

Improving Your Court’s Response to Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Cases

Join WATCH on Tuesday, July 26^th at 1pm CST (11am PST, 12pm MST, 2pm EST) for its webinar training on Improving Your Court’s Response to Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Cases.

This webinar will provide an overview on how to monitor misdemeanor domestic violence cases in suburban and rural settings including a review of WATCH’s most recent report, Promoting Victim Safety and Offender Accountability: Improving the Response to Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Cases. This webinar will help you create a framework for examining misdemeanor-level cases including creating a research or monitoring project designed to improve your courts.

Topics include:

• partnering with criminal justice and community stakeholders
• reporting case outcomes
• incorporating best practices
• implementing recommendations

COST: $35 for current National Association of Court Monitoring Program members and $50 for non-members. You may pay with a credit card at www.watchmn.org or send a check to the address listed above.


* If paying by check, please include the name of the webinar you are registering for, as well as a phone number, mailing address, and e-mail contact.

QUESTIONS: Contact Anna Light at alight@watchmn.org or (612)341-2747 x7.

Violence Against Women and Girls PSA's Air During MN Sports

A big thanks to Chuck Derry at Gender Violence Institute for the notification.

Anoka County Domestic Violence Council/CBIM in Anoka County has partnered with Fox Sports North, and other state partners, including MNMAN, to develop public service announcements to be played during Minnesota Wild, Timberwolves, and Gopher hockey games in January

Fox Sports North has also developed a Coaching Boys Into Men web page with excellent short video clips and blogs focused on Coaching Boys Into Men. http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/north_supports/

Do your part and help support or gather new ideas to create a on-going dialogue about respect and fair play among kids and adults in your life and community. Use this as a tool, opportunity to reinforce messages of respect for women and girls


*Promo spots will be 1 - 2x during a game, equaling 30 placements for the month.

January 2011 Scheduled Dates (although subject to change)*

Gopher Hockey: Friday and Saturdays only

MN Timberwolves: Monday/Wednesday Games,(Tuesday/Thursday/Friday)*

MN Wild : Tuesday/Thursday, (Saturday/Sunday)*

*check website for specific days on each teams scheduled games

For information contact:

Chuck Derry- Gender Violence Institute
P:320-558-4510 or E:gvi@frontiernet.net

Men's Action Network
MN Men's Action Network
15510 Huber Avenue NW
Clearwater, MN 55320

Assurance Offers Free Wireless

Do you know any homeless teens or adults? Do you know any former inmates? Do you have a loved one or a friend who needs a phone but just can't afford one, then mention Assurance Wireless to them which could help create a new sense of normalcy.

Having access to a reliable phone is a great start for some who are low-income or for ones who may be starting over after fleeing domestic violence or assault. It also proves beneficial for communication, employment and survival for families and/or individuals when pay-phones, calling cards and landlines are becoming non-existent almost obsolete in many neighborhoods.

Taken from Website:

Assurance Wireless is FREE to eligible customers. Assurance Wireless offers a FREE phone and 250 FREE minutes of wireless voice service each month. There are no bills, long-term contracts, activation fees, recurring fees, or surcharges for Assurance Wireless customers. Additional upgrades are available for phone

For more information call 1-888-898-4888 for a advisor to assist you in the application process. Or print application online http://assurancewireless.com/Public/CustomerInformation.aspx
(provides application link to each state)

Assurance Wireless comes with a one-year warranty from the original equipment manufacturer. If you experience an equipment malfunction, lost or stolen call at 1-888-321-5880

Assurance Wireless is currently available in these states : Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Your Roots Matter-taken from Girlosophy 1997

LOVE EVERYTHING IN YOUR PAST. YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT.

Roots....

Where do you come from? What do you stand for?

I thought it was important to repeat this passage in writing because depending on where we are in life we can at times, whether intentional or subconsciously forget.

What and who we are as individuals take shape at our foundation (child development, growing years) but every day with our actions, our thoughts and our words we have the unique opportunity to consistently build upon that structure. The trick then becomes not to transform so high that we forget what or who we may be running from.

How can we do that?

We can accomplish this in part by self-monitoring our gut. We need to self-check often on our journey forward by asking the questions:

What am I casting aside by building "me" __________?

Who am I leaving behind on my quest to be better then my former self?

What am I willing to take with me ?

What Must be identified and eliminated? i.e. dead weight

Who can I reach with my history?

Why now?

Roots Matter : By Anetha Paul

They can make you - or break you.
Make peace with them, whatever they are,and be proud of your heritage, because it's unique.
Nothing, not even the most difficult upbringing or so-called disadvantaged background, need be a barrier to all the best things in life- Friendship, Love and Happiness.

So don't reinvent or cover up your past. Your story is as interesting as anyone else's.

Embrace your own beginnings and you'll find you can embrace the beginnings of others.

Whatever culture or tradition you come from, it is a part of your history and lineage. It is a part of you!

Love everything in your past. Your future depends on it.

Help Kiana Firouz Seek Asylum from Iran

The UK Home Office recently rejected the asylum appeal of lesbian filmmaker and actress Kiana Firouz—a move that could lead to her deportation to Iran, where she faces a minimum sentence of 100 lashes or even the death penalty for “unrepentant” homosexuality.

The UK ruling has put the life of the 27-year-old in serious danger. Firouz starred in the film Cul de Sac, which is loosely based on her life. In it, she portrays the struggle of lesbians under the Iranian regime. The movie, which premiered in London on May 20, could cause serious problems for Firouz in Iran, where homosexuality is illegal.

The UK Times Online reports that the Home Office, in defending the rejection of Firouz’s appeal, acknowledged the danger she would face as a lesbian in Iran but argued that Firouz could escape harm by being discreet about her homosexuality.

Given the public nature of Firouz’s activism, however, there is little chance that she could fly under the radar in her home country.

You can help Kiana Firouz fight this ruling by urging the Home Office to reverse its decision. Send a letter to the Home Secretary Theresa May in support of Firouz’s case for asylum, and help Kiana Firouz remain in the UK.

Links about Kiana Firouz's story and petition online

Sign the petition!
http://www.petitiononline.com/kianaf/petition.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7131310.ece

Cul De Sac movie trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbQiB3rkh4

Quick Note to you & whoever reads these things anymore - CHANGE IS A COMING....WATCH & SEE's MySpace Blog |

To the Mothers and Fathers,

Take care and love yourself !

Hats off to you, if you have a child or children w/ special needs. Look, being a mother of a child with complex special needs is a constant thrill ride with many up but some devastating lows (trust me).

You have a tough job ahead but if you are a parent or a mom-to be then you already know,how precious life really is and the reward man, the rewards are so much higher.

I want to tell you today that you are a amazing parent and I not only applaud you but I love you for doing what so many other can't or unwilling to even try.

Much Love,

Jamila

GRASSROOTS & SOCIAL NETWORKING AT WORK: UTAH's BILL GETS RETRACTED

Hello!

Thank to everyone that chose to post on Facebook and Twitter or via personal messages asking the question, how to help. As you can see, we all had a hand in making this change and if you didn't believe before please know that from the ground up you can do anything and when you work together,well just look what can get accomplished.

please read the email below:

Email from President, Advocates for Youth

"You Did It!
I wanted to let you know that the Utah state legislature withdrew H.B. 12, the bill that would prosecute women for illegal abortions and some miscarriages.

And it happened because of you!

Last week, through Amplify, we asked for your help in calling national attention to this dangerous piece of legislation. Your efforts focused public pressure on this bill and forced Utah politicians to back down under national scrutiny.

This story would not have received national attention without your hard work, and I wanted to thank you personally for your help.

Over the past 10 days, you proved the true power of grassroots activism and online organizing. Thousands of Amplify readers and their friends posted this story to Facebook, starting conversations all across the country. Thousands more sent it out over Twitter. The details of Utah's attack on women's rights started to build momentum on some of the most influential blogs, from DailyKos to the Huffington Post, leading to coverage in the New York Times and by ABC news.

Because of this media firestorm, Utah Governor Gary Herbert expressed reservations about some of the bill's more extreme provisions. And yesterday, the state legislature withdrew the bill!

We know that legislative attacks on reproductive health and women's rights will continue, in Utah and elsewhere in the United States. But, this week you forced politicians to answer for some of the most potentially dangerous provisions in H.B. 12 - and you won.

Together, we will continue to work to ensure that all people - everywhere - have have access to the information and services they need to protect their health an lives.

In solidarity,

James Wagoner
President
Advocates for Youth

To be a part of the conversation join BUILD to BLEND on Twitter http://twitter.com/BUILDTOBLEND

For more info try these links,

Advocates for youth http://advocatesforyouth.org/
Amplify http://amplify.org/

Justice Denied Revisited

This was originally reported on in May 2009 but I thought it was worth revisiting in case you missed it. Not only in New York but around the country shadows of the same issues continue to go on across the U.S.

I want to thank the Voices of Women project for be willing to not only take a vested interest but willing to broadcast it,so we all may benefit from it and hopefully in return, act accordingly.

Jamila

The Voices of Women Organizing Project has released a report titled "Justice Denied: How Family Courts in NYC Endanger Battered Women and Children." The report found that women who have been abused by the father of their children lose custody thirty-seven percent of the time.

It also found that battered women are retraumatized when forced to confront their abusers in court, and that custody is often given to the abuser even when the woman is the primary caregiver. The organization made four recommendations to address these problems: create and fund a court watch project; make sure court decisions are made in the best interest of the children; consider seriously any abuse allegations; and be sure that court proceedings are just.


Research for the report was conducted over two years and consists of approximately 75 interviews with domestic violence survivors, focus groups of battered women and foster care teens, and meetings with court personnel.

The women interviewed for the report had all experienced abuse and had family court cases in 2005 or 2006. Eighty percent said their abusers used the courts to carry out a threat to gain custody of the children and keep them from having contact with their mothers.

Approximately thirty percent of the women said they did not feel safe in the courtroom, and forty percent said they did not feel safe in the waiting areas. In twenty-five percent of the cases women were told, sometimes by lawyers, not to bring up domestic abuse or to challenge custody because it might make the situation worse.

The report concluded that when the mothers appear in court a combination of factors, such as fear of the abuser, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder create a negative image of the mother's capability.

Prostitution beyond the Myths-Documentary

Prostitution: Beyond The Myth This Friday!


Airs on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. click here to find your local TV Station. www.tpt.org/program/digital_updates.html#channelgrids

The documentary illustrates new solutions to the world’s oldest profession and features the stories of former prostitutes, along with the Minneapolis judiciary, law enforcement, and a research study currently being conducted in North Minneapolis.



Volunteers of America’s documentary, “Prostitution: Beyond the Myths,” produced with Twin Cities Public Television has won two Telly Awards. A Telly is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The awards received were in Documentary and Information-Public Policy categories.

The 30-minute documentary illustrates new solutions to the world’s oldest profession and features the stories of former prostitutes, along with the Minneapolis judiciary, law enforcement, and a research study currently being conducted in North Minneapolis.
Volunteers of America Minnesota operates the Women’s Recovery Center for women who are chemically dependent, homeless and have experienced multiple traumas, particularly those associated with a lifestyle of prostitution.

If you want to learn more about Volunteers of America in MN and what they can do for your community click the link http://www.voamn.org/

To find VOA in your state click here: http://www.voa.org/

Find your station
http://www.tpt.org/program/digital_updates.html#channelgrids

Opportunity for survivors to be part of a Speaker's Bureau

Opportunity for survivors to be part of a Speaker's Bureau

Speakers wanted:

The Survivor Caucus of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance is recruiting presenters for its new Speakers Bureau,with a planned start up date of July 1, 2009.

Thriving survivors of adult sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, or intimate partner violence are invited to use this opportunity to tell their personal stories for public education and survivor support throughout Virginia .

Experienced speakers are wanted, but all willing survivors are encouraged to apply.

The first free speaker training session will be held June 4 at the VSDVAA Richmond office.

This is the website for VSDVAA http://www.vsdvalliance.org/index.html

For a speaker application or for more information, contact Mikele Knight, sparrowk@vsdvalliance.org

Any survivor wishing to join the Survivor Caucus can do so at the Web site

http://www.survivorcaucusva.org

Attitudes towards women assessment Part 1 and 2(repost)

We want to provide information, assessments, exercises and relevant news in our blogs that you can use as an individual, amongst your friends,family or even as a aid.





Attitudes towards women assessment Part 1 and 2



** This scale helps measure gender stereotyping**







COPY,THEN PASTE LINK IN A NEW BROWSER IF UNAVAILABLE FROM YOUR PAGE





Directions:

Choose the best response according to your beliefs.

In order to have an accurate score, complete Parts 1 & 2 for sum total.

A high score will indicate a high level of gender stereotyping; a low score will indicate a low level of gender stereotypes





Part 1 of 2 attitudes towards women





http://www. surveymonkey. com/s. aspx?sm=ygir6NBxZrsLcPMwYkri_2fQ_3d_3d


Part 2 of 2 attitudes towards women

http://www. surveymonkey. com/s. aspx?sm=_2bCW8yLzxZGLbFNhvjllbhg_3d_3d




Point Value as assigned: Scale 1 to 4 points



1= Strongly Disagree 2= Disagree 3= Agree 4= Strongly Agree (Except questions 3,5, 7,9 & 12 where value is reverse)



Ex. Strongly Agree would now equal 1pt. instead of 4pts.





If you have questions, call in to our show (347)215-9292 or email us about this blog at
blog@buildtoblend.org


Tune in to BlogTalkRadio Coming this May 2009

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/build2blend


As always, send your feedback, questions or suggestions to build2blendgmail.com

Abuse of young women fuels the HIV epidemic in Jamaica - JamaicaObserver.com

Abuse of young women fuels the HIV epidemic in Jamaica - JamaicaObserver.com

Quick facts:

• Sex crimes alone account for 827 of the more than 5,000 major crimes reported between January and September 2008.





• Rape accounted for more than half (536) of the sex crimes reported between January and September 2008.





• 485 incidents of rape between January and September 2007.





• In Jamaica(as in other parts of the world) a significant number of women experience other forms of gender-based violence, such as physical violence and sexual coercion





• Government began implementing its third National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS/STIs from 2007 to 2011. The plan focuses on achieving universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support.

• Men and women between 20 and 39 years old account for 54%of reported AIDS cases in Jamaica.
  

It was stated and I believe it is true for most if not all Multi-ethnic Minorities that

"the primary contributors to the HIV epidemic in Jamaica are said to be socio-cultural, behavioural and economic factors that result in risky behaviours such as multiple sex partners, older men having sex with younger women, and early sexual engagement."- Jamaica Observer

What hinder progress ? What aids cultural acceptance of women being exposed to violence ? The writer expressed these themes listed,the question I would ask is if you agree or would you add to what is stated in the article?

unequal gender roles with women,often in subordinate and dependent relationships

dependence on a man for your economic well-being

Men are also at risk because of the idealised images of masculinity, which dictate that the man should have a lot of women, and can take risk without fear of the consequences.

Marriage has a certain meaning in this society."The woman is seen as belonging to the man. The man is seen as the master of the woman."

shackles, anyone?

Because of that, marriage is seen as this precious institution designed for people to have children - they [women] are not capable of negotiating safe sex even when they suspect the man is playing around. The tragedy is that husbands cheat with women and with men as well."

when I was reading I wasn't discouraged just disappointed but oftentimes like in my personal life I can be encourage or give hope in the form of words, like this article gave to me.

"the culture that facilitates violence and abuse, and strips women of negotiating power, is changing.It is changing because people are more aware. The laws now say that those who are aware of abuse and do not report it are liable, so people are more likely to intervene on behalf of affected women and children. I have noticed a greater willingness to report and to intervene. We still have a long way to go but the increase in awareness has helped."

Man, doesn't that feel good, but I agree we have a long way to go not just in Minnesota but in the world when it come to violence against women and the readily accepted practices of keeping women in the position of less power.

READ THE ARTICLE - STAY INFORMED - SEEK HELP - SPEAK OUT

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG

We here at BUILD to BLEND want to give you information about issues surrounding Sexual Assault from many positions for instance; we will report on things going on in the community, around the state of Minnesota, news from around the US and abroad. We will also give you B2B's standpoint and survivor(s) point of view.






I personally think it's more important that we try to give you steps or ideas on how you the individual, your community can be a support to someone affected by the abuse and or assault. Our ultimate goal is for you to be equipped and ultimately ready and willing to help prevent Sexual Violence.

We think it is important for us to discuss in this format, social networks, in person for many reasons but I will share my personal view by giving you a couple reason that are important to me and why I step out continuously .

• there are women everywhere and with that potential for greatness and for exploitation of some kind due to Socio-Economic factors, cultural influence, Religious factors, outdated stereotypes and roles affixed on to women and young girls.
  





• We are not alone Sexual Violence and Sexual Abuse at the hands of someone else does not just happen in Minnesota, the U.S. but it's a epidemic that affects us Worldwide.
  





• Men are everywhere as well with the same potential for greatness but just like women run the risk of being exploited or having to live up to outdated stereotypes and roles because of Socio-Economic factors, Cultural influences, Religious Doctrine, outdated stereotypes and roles affixed to young boys.
  
  




• Minorities are unfortunately consistent, with the help of those same factors listed above over time to be an under-served community affected by Sexual Violence.
  





• All survivors are not shaped in a little neat box. We are all different shades and sizes, we don't all forgive, fight, cry, forget, move, heal, create or e even dream at the same time. We don't identify the same or even have the same issues before we were hurt, so why would that change.
  





• As a African-American Woman who has been abused and sexually assaulted I am pinch-able, living proof that it does happen to Minorities. I am unafraid to speak because for a long time I felt I couldn't...imagine that.
  





• People personally tell me and others what we do and say is necessary, someone is helped, you can make a difference, you are changing attitudes, you do make people talk about it (even if behind closed doors) they are still talking...now I say OPEN THE DOOR- so that we can come in and you let all that hurt, speculation, negative attitudes, apprehensions and pain out.
  
  

There is more, if you like, I can elaborate on those concepts or ideals stated above.

If anything, what I would like you to take from this particular blog or any that I or BUILD to BLEND may post is that sometimes violence does happen and often, more then any of us would like, those things are or can potentially be of a sexual nature.



Thank You,



Jamila and Everyone else here who supports BUILD to BLEND