No Means No!

By Nurse Diane

I have never lived in a big city; have always lived in small towns, kinda like the song in Cheers, where everybody knows your name.  Places like that are almost free from the crimes you see in the big cities, but they do occasionally happen.  That is why, several years ago, the whole community was shaken to the core when an elderly woman and her female roommate were found attacked in their home.

The victim, a woman in her late 60's was my Sunday school teacher at church.  She was the type of person who would do anything to help someone in need.  They lived in an older part of town in a suspect neighborhood.  She was coming home from Sunday night church.  As she entered her home, her 80-year-old roommate was they’re waiting for her.  Before she had time to set down her belongings, there was a knock at the door.  She went to see who was there, a young man asking for something, and she invited him in.

•  A stranger - into her home at night,
• He attacked her, raped her there near the door, then attacked the other woman in her wheelchair, then went about tearing up the place looking for drug money. 
• When he couldn't find any, he raped the woman again, and then left.

News of this attack spread quickly, even without the Internet, and the community rallied together to find the suspect and punish him severely.  My teacher was hospitalized, and the women were no longer able to share living accommodations, and both moved in with family members.

It was so horrific that this kind of attack happened to the elderly ladies, however, it could have been easily avoided had the door remained locked, and the person was asked to leave the premises.

The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.  In 2009, President Obama was the first United States president to proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime and nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced other forms of sexual violence at some point in their lives.  Sexual violence is any sexual activity where consent is not freely given. This includes completed or attempted sex acts that are against the victim's will or involve a victim who is unable to consent.

Sexual violence also includes:

• Unwanted sexual contact, and
• Non-contact and unwanted sexual experiences (such as verbal sexual harassment).

Sexual violence can be committed by anyone:

• A current or former intimate partner;
• A family member;
• A person in position of power or trust;
• A friend or acquaintance; and or
• A stranger, or someone known only by sight.

Sexual violence impacts health in many ways and can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems. Victims may experience chronic pain, headaches, and sexually transmitted diseases. They are often fearful or anxious, and may have problems trusting others. Anger and stress can lead to eating disorders, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

If you are, or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence:

Contact the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, Free, Confidential, 24/7

And or

Contact your local emergency services at 9-1-1.

Take a Stand

By Terry Orr

It seems to me that our elected officials continue to that the path of least resistance in attempting to resolve problems.  Thinks that come to mind are:

·         Probation;

·         Prostitution;

·         Gambling;

·         Drugs;

·         Violence;

·         Immigration; and

·         Gun Control.

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Fairfax County in Virginia has Police Officers assigned many of their county schools.

 

 

Explain to me, like I am a 6 or 8 year old – why grownups continue to fail to do the right things.

Words are cheap and for the most part meaningless.

Doing the Right thing every time is the answer.

Setting the example by your own actions speak volumes and are easy for your children to better understand.

Further Gun Control is not the answer – enforcing current laws is a step in the right direction.  As long as our society accepts Hollywood Movies, Television programs and video game of violence as common place in our daily life – How in the world do we ever expect to reduce violence in America?

International Day of Peace

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By Diane Forrest

The world has been shocked by the recent murder of American Ambassador Christopher Stephens in Egypt.  That set off a series of other protests and army attacks. Then the unrest moved to other parts of the world.  News of impending wars in Egypt and violence in Afghan and violence in China.  The fury in the Islamic Nation and the prospect of Iran building a nuclear bomb.  Even in the USA there are random acts of violence such as the shootings in Colorado and various places across the country.

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According to Wikipedia, the International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters (in New York City). The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa, and was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, as "a reminder of the human cost of war"; the inscription on its side reads, "Long live absolute world peace".

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Individuals can also wear White Peace Doves to commemorate the International Day of Peace, which are badges in the shape of a dove produced by a non-profit organization in Canada.

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The first occurrence was in 1982, and this year there thousands of planned activities including school activities, music concerts, global comedy clubs (www.thinkPEACE.net), peace doves, prayer vigils, peace conferences and U.N. activities.

To see how you can help or things to do, visit these sites:  www.cultureofpeace.org , www.UN.org , www.wiserearth.org , www.thinkPEACE.net or search "peace day events."

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