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News & Press Releases
Ellen Pence, "Mother" of Domestic Violence Intervention, Dies of Breast Cancer - (1-7-12, Duluth News Tribune)
A co-founder of Duluth’s world-renowned Domestic Abuse Intervention Project and a woman considered the “mother” of domestic violence intervention has died.
Ellen Pence, 63, died Friday morning after a long struggle with breast cancer.
“She was brilliant, sharp-witted, loved people and was extremely hard-working,” said Duluth Assistant City Attorney Mary Asmus, a friend of Pence’s for almost 30 years.
“It’s hard to even put into words because her contribution is so huge,” Asmus said. “Before Ellen was here, the criminal justice system did not intervene in domestic violence issues. Police did not arrest. People didn’t get prosecuted. Nowhere in the state or country. She is really behind all of it. It all goes back to her. She is the mother of our coordinated community response.”
Pence helped found the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project and is credited with creating the Duluth Model of intervention in domestic violence cases, which uses an interagency approach involving police, probation, courts and human services. The primary goal is to protect victims from ongoing abuse. The project also included the start of Duluth’s mandatory arrest policy, which says an arrest must be made if there is an injury and police have evidence of an assault. (click here for full story)
Rape Definition Updated by FBI - (1-7-12, USA Today)
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday expanded the FBI's more than eight-decade-old definition of rape to count men as victims for the first time and to drop the requirement that victims must have physically resisted their attackers.
The new definition will increase the number of people counted as rape victims in FBI statistics, but it will not change federal or state laws or alter charges or prosecutions.
It's an important shift because lawmakers and policymakers use crime statistics to allocate money and other resources for prevention and victim assistance.
The White House said the change was not motivated by the recent Penn State child sex-abuse scandal. Indeed, the expanded definition has been long awaited as many states and research groups made similar changes in their definitions of rape over recent decades.
Senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett called the change a "very, very important step." The issue got top-level White House attention starting last July, when Vice President Joe Biden raised it at a Cabinet meeting. (click here for full article)
CDC Study Shows 'Widespread' Sexual Violence in U.S. - (12-15-11, USA TODAY)
Sexual violence is a widespread problem in the USA that strikes the majority of its victims early in life, according to a major government study released Wednesday.
Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men report being raped in their lifetime, says the study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The study is the first to examine the prevalence of rape, sexual violence other than rape, stalking and intimate partner violence, and to report the damaging health consequences that last a lifetime. It calls for prevention efforts "that should start early."
Among female victims, 30% reported being first raped when they were between 11 and 17 years old; 12% were 10 or younger. Among males, 28% of male victims were first raped when they were 10 or younger... (click here for full article)
New Resource Center Opens For Sexual Assault Survivors - 11/4/11
Shelter, Inc., and the Iosco County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) invite the public as they celebrate the opening of the new Resource and Welcome Center on Thursday, November 10 at 5:00 pm. with a ribbon cutting, tours and refreshments. The Resource Center is located in St. Joseph’s Oscoda Health Park at 5939 N. Huron Road in Oscoda.
In the fall of 2008 a task force was initiated to investigate the feasibility of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program and Sexual Assault Response Team in our community. Statistics and reports from the Office for Victims of Crime and St. Joseph’s Emergency Department helped to establish the need for the program.
Critical community partners with Shelter, Inc. and St. Joseph Health System include: Michigan State Police, Iosco County Sherriff, Tawas Policy Authority, Mental Health Professionals, Human Service Agencies, Judicial System, Education and Clergy.
Non-fee services being offered at the Center include: individual and group supportive counseling; advocacy and outreach services; SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) services; access and information to those affected by sexual assault whether past or present. For more information on SART services call 989-747-0119.
Shelter Inc receives domestic violence prevention grant from the Verizon Foundation - 11/1/11
Shelter, Inc has been chosen by Verizon Foundation to receive a domestic violence prevention grant in the amount of $15,000. Funding received through this grant is allocated for technology supported domestic violence prevention efforts.
Shelter, inc is a community supported non-profit agency providing safe shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1978. Our primary service area encompasses the northeast Michigan counties of Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency and Presque Isle.
Support from Verizon Foundation enables us to continue to work toward our goal of ultimately ending personal violence in our communities through advocacy, education, community collaboration and systems change.
Justice Dept. Announces $2.7 Million in Grants for Six Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative Projects - 9/15/2011
The six demonstration sites, each receiving three year awards for $450,000 are:
Gila River Indian Community, Sacaton, Arizona; Shelter, Inc., Alpena, Michigan;
Doves, Inc., Gering, Nebraska; New York Asian Women's Center, Inc., New York, New York;
Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services, Pittsboro, North Carolina;
and SafePlace, Olympia, Washington.
The goals of the initiative are to increase outreach to those populations experiencing
sexual assault in their communities, but not currently accessing services; develop models
of service provision that prioritize the needs of sexual assault survivors; and assess the
efficacy of those steps in increasing the numbers and types of sexual assault survivors who
access those newly enhanced services.
Specifically, the SADI will enhance the range of service options for victims of sexual assault;
improve the overall treatment of sexual assault victims; and enhance the skills and
knowledge of advocates working with victims and survivors. The project will identify
barriers to providing quality assistance and advocacy and document and disseminate
solutions for replication.
Shelter, Inc. and The Salvation Army are partnering for the Annual Coat Giveaway -
This event will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at the Salvation Army Church located at 722 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena from 10:00am - 3:00pm. (click here for directions)
Donations of new and gently worn coats, scarves, gloves, mittens, hats and boots are being accepted at the Salvation Army Store in Alpena at 2323 US 23 S., in Rogers City at Seconds on Third Thrift Store 1096 W. 3rd, and in Oscoda at Second Chances Thrift Store 4721 F-41.
For more information on this event or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Val at (989) 356-6265 or Majors Craig and Joan Stoker at (989) 358-2769. Thank you for your support.
Lynn Energy Donates $1,500 to Shelter Inc. - 7/28/2011
Photo: Jeff Berryman, Sandra Lewis and Jessica Peck
Quarterly Newsletter
Survivor/Participant Handbook
Resource Guide
IRS Form 990
IRS Form 990 - 2010
Audited Financial Statements
Michigan Advocate Newsletter
www.michiganadvocate.org
Michigan Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
www.mcadsv.org
Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention & Treatment Board
www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5460_7261---,00.html
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
www.ncadv.org
Rape Abuse & Incest National Network
www.rainn.org
History of Violence Against Women Act
www.endabuse.org/vawa/display.php?DocID=34005
Teen Dating Violence Prevention
Child Witness To Violence Project
www.childwitnesstoviolence.org/
Family Violence Prevention Fund Online Resources
www.fvpfstore.stores.yahoo.net/index.html
| Prosecuting Attorneys and Victims Advocates: |
Alcona County: Thomas J. Weichel
Alcona County Courthouse
106 5th Street
P.O. Box 189
Harrisville, MI 48740
Phone: (989) 724-9460
County Annex
719 W. Chisholm, Ste #2
Alpena, MI 49707-2452
Phone: (989) 354-9738
422 W. Lake Street, P.O. Box 548
Tawas City, MI 48764-0548
Phone: (989) 362-6141
Courthouse
12265 M-32
P.O. Box 789
Atlanta, MI 49709
Phone: (989) 785-8070
Courthouse
151 E. Huron Ave.
P.O. Box 110
Rogers City, MI 49779
Phone: (989) 734-4709
| Northeast Michigan National and State Elected Officials: |
514 CHOB
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone (202) 225-4753
269 Russell
Washington, D.C. 20510
133 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
715 Farnum Bldg., P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone (517) 373-7946
S1485 House Office Bldg., P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48933
910 Farnum Bldg., P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
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