<![CDATA[Beacon of Hope Crisis Center - Blog]]>Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:00:20 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Joy For Families This Christmas]]>Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:50:43 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/joy-for-families-this-christmasBy: Cheyenne Taylor

We express our sincere gratitude for the substantial donation made by the Lawrence FOP to support victims during the holiday season.

This generous contribution has alleviated a significant burden for these victims, enabling them to prioritize their families and well-being amidst the challenging circumstances.

We are deeply appreciative of your support and the positive impact it has had on their lives.

#CollaborationMatters
]]><![CDATA[Grateful for Growth, Renewal, and Supportive Allies]]>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/grateful-for-growth-renewal-supportivealliesA message from our CEO


"Every day I am inspired by the servant's hearts of our advocates.  Our advocates listen and assist victims all day long day after day with very heavy complex trauma.  The victims we serve are each pulling around cumbersome wagons of trauma and our advocates meet each one with grace, understanding, and positivity.  They offer victims safety, education, and supportive services and resources, providing a path to healing, independence, and self-sufficiency.  From January 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024, we served 971 new victims of crime all while also providing 17,824 ongoing case management services to existing survivors as well.  The average cost per new victim served by our agency out of the 971 served during this time was $734. Grant funding nationally for serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault continues to be cut.  We need donor support.  Will you consider an End-of-Year gift to help us provide our free services to victims and their families who need safety, healing, and a positive tomorrow?  I am sincerely grateful to all who will consider being a supportive ally to help us accomplish our mission." 
                                                                  - Sandra K. Ziebold
END-OF-YEAR SUPPORTIVE ALLY GIFT
]]><![CDATA[Domestic Violence is a Public Health Issue]]>Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/domestic-violence-is-a-public-health-issueMessage from our CEO:  Sandra Ziebold
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This month, we are placing a heightened focus on educating as many people as possible about the reality that domestic violence is a public health issue. In too many cases, it is often also a medical emergency.  Domestic violence is about power and control and is highly stressful.  When you are stuck in fight or flight mode from long-term trauma, it can cause the stress hormone cortisol to reach very high levels. In stressful situations, your adrenal glands produce more cortisol. Sustained high-stress hormones can increase the risk of severe health problems.

Thank you for helping us amplify our messaging this October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond. Your supportive shares, donated items, and financial gifts that enable us to help many, mean the world to us.

The work that our victim advocates do every day is critical to helping those in need connect the dots to achieve safety and a future free from the grip of domestic violence. That knot of fear in a victim's gut can shrink and heal. Victim advocates are skilled at identifying lethality risk, and we want anyone living in emotional or physical fear because of violence to reach out and lean on us. We can help mitigate the barriers that seem impossible.

In September alone, we served 102 new victims, and at the same time, our small, amazing team of victim advocates also provided 1,670 case management services to existing survivors. Out of the 102 new clients that requested assistance, eleven disclosed that they were homeless, ten disclosed a disability, twelve had limited English proficiency, three disclosed being in a same-sex relationship, one disclosed being deaf, six disclosed being immigrants, and four disclosed they were pregnant. Forty out of the one hundred and two cases had children living in the home, and sixteen of the one hundred and two cases had DCS involvement where the child/children were the victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault or witnessed the violence.

Among the 102 new victims were 14 cases of stalking/harassment, one kidnapping, four violations of protective orders, and 22 victims of strangulation. The level of violence and the complexity of the situations are alarming among those we are serving, and we need your help to join in this fight with us to help so many suffering in this way in our community right here in central Indiana. Yes, this is happening in our neighborhoods. You may wonder why they don't just leave, but in many of these high-lethal situations, it is hard to get away, and letting anyone know could bring harm to the victim, as there is an increased threat to their lives as they seek to flee.

According to the Violence Policy Center, research shows that state laws restricting those under domestic violence restraining orders from accessing firearms and laws allowing the warrantless arrest of those in violation of domestic violence restraining orders are associated with reductions in intimate partner homicide. Murder-suicides are horrific and violent events that often involve families, intimate partners, and children.  The impact this violence has on survivors and communities is significant and all too often unacknowledged.

Please continue to help amplify this message. Will you join us and help in whatever way is comfortable and within your time and financial means?  This task is large, and we need you.
References: 
https://vpc.org/revealing-the-impacts-of-gun-violence/murder-suicide/
]]><![CDATA[Lethality Risks for Victims of Domestic Violence]]>Fri, 11 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/lethality-risks-for-victims-of-domestic-violenceBy: Deni O'Brien
Lethality Risks for Victims of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence itself is a threat to the safety of a victim, but some aggravating circumstances increase their risk of being greatly harmed or murdered. It's important to recognize these warning signs and educate victims on the threat this poses to them and the importance of fleeing. A couple of main indicators of a high lethality risk in abusive relationships are strangulation incidents and weapons in the home.

When a victim of domestic violence calls our crisis line for help, there are typically several things they are trying to solve at once. Often, they call about resources for shelter, long-term housing, employment, childcare, financial support, or filing for a protection order. Because a victim's health is often the last thing on their mind when fleeing and trying to tackle so many other things, we, as Victim Advocates, must take the time to address this with victims and assess for any health needs.

When discussing the different types of abuse a victim has experienced, we listen carefully for any disclosure of strangulation or head injuries.  Any history of strangulation puts a victim at higher risk of homicide at the hands of their abuser. Of women who experience intimate partner violence, 68% will experience near-fatal strangulation (Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention). The chance of homicide increases by 750% for victims who have experienced strangulation, compared to victims who have never been strangled (Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention). Strangulation means the obstruction of airflow and blood vessels in the neck, meaning loss of consciousness can happen within seconds, and death can occur in minutes. When a victim survives an incident of strangulation, they may experience damage to their throat tissue, memory loss, vision issues, psychosis, brain damage, and even death weeks after the incident due to respiratory complications or blood clots. Typically, victims and their loved ones are unaware of just how seriously strangulation should be taken and that their lives are at risk. Assessing if a victim has experienced strangulation from their abuser and educating them on the impacts can be a matter of life or death.

A second thing Victim Advocates are on high alert for is if there are any weapons in the home. As Victim Advocates, we are not just asking if the abuser has threatened the victim with weapons. We want to know if the abuser even owns or has access to firearms. The presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by 500%. More than half of women killed by gun violence are killed by family members or intimate partners (National Domestic Violence Hotline). Even after a victim has successfully fled abuse, people willing to commit homicide against their victims often will not be stopped by a protection order. Once we hear any mention of a weapon, safety planning is of utmost importance to protecting the lives of victims and their loved ones.

A victim is not able to address something they are unaware of. The more knowledge they have, the better they can understand what this means for their health and safety. If you or somebody you know is experiencing domestic violence, we highly encourage you to reach out to our crisis line and connect with a Victim Advocate. We are here to educate victims, assist with their needs, and change the course of their lives. We want to see every victim we encounter become safe, healthy, and self-sufficient.
References:
https://www.strangulationtraininginstitute.com/impact-of-strangulation-crimes/important-facts/
https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/
]]><![CDATA[Abuse Affects Children in The Home]]>Mon, 07 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/abuse-affects-children-in-the-homeBy: Cheyenne Loper
Abuse Affects Children in The Home. By: Cheyenne Loper
If you have ever taken a psychology or sociology class, you may be familiar with the term “ACES.” Even if you are unaware of its meaning, it is something that can affect you or those you love. ACE stands for “Adverse Childhood Experience.” This is a concept that was a result of a study conducted in 1995-1997 by Kaiser Permanente. The study found that traumatic or adverse childhood experiences can result in health complications later in life, such as engaging in risky behavior, heart disease, or even early death. They are more likely to start smoking, drinking, or socializing with unhealthy people. Due to the seriousness of the effects of traumatic childhood experiences, a questionnaire was created to determine a child or adult’s ACE score. The score would indicate a person’s risk for future health complications. The questionnaire screens for things like abuse in the home, household challenges, or neglect before eighteen years of age. If you are a parent experiencing domestic violence, the impacts on your children may be long-lasting. The current impacts they may already be experiencing are PTSD, difficulty in school, or being more mature than other children their age (often by 7-10 years). In the future, they are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, commit violent crimes, or become a victim of domestic violence in their future relationships.

Domestic violence affects everyone in the household. A victim may want to believe that despite everything, their partner is a good parent. The evidence shows us otherwise. A child who sees a parent abused will experience adverse effects. If you or someone you know is being abused, please reach out to us today.  Our advocates can assist with keeping victims and their children safe by creating safety plans, filing protection orders, or providing resources to help them become self-sufficient. If you or someone you know experienced abuse or neglect as a child and are still trying to heal, we can offer help connecting to counseling, support groups, or other mental health resources. To speak with a trained Victim Advocate, call our confidential crisis line at (317) 731-6140. In the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Reference:
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html
]]><![CDATA[Celebrating National Night Out 24']]>Mon, 19 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/celebrating-national-night-out-24By: Cheyenne Taylor
Thank you! National Night Out 2024 Collage of community National Night Out Event Locations
We were thrilled to meet with our law enforcement partners for this year's National Night Out events on August 6th. We joined many families, community members, and businesses in sharing information about our agency and our partnerships with law enforcement, eating great food, playing games, and connecting with the community and officers. Each year, we connect with more individuals and learn about the resources available for survivors in our community. This event not only allows our agency to share about our services and the great partnerships we have with law enforcement, but a chance to interact with community members who are victims themselves or know someone who is.  Being a part of this event helps to bridge gaps and strengthen lasting partnerships. We want to thank our law enforcement partners for their part in continuously protecting the community and for being wonderful hosts. We are grateful to be a part of a community that cares.
]]><![CDATA[Protect The Elderly]]>Wed, 12 Jun 2024 15:11:38 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/protect-the-elderlyBy:  Carol Whiteman, Vice-Chair BOHCC Board of Directors
Protect the Elderly
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention is for All Ages
The month of June brings awareness to the vitally critical issue of elder abuse. June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th. We should take great concern in the care and treatment of our parents, grandparents, and other loved ones as they age through the final chapters of their lives.

There comes a point where the people that took care of us when we were young experience a role reversal and we take care of them at the end of their life span. I have personally lived through this with my own mother. I was not fortunate enough to be able to medically care for her in my home, I had to rely on the expertise and kindness of professionals in a skilled facility. Relying on others is the case for many of us that have had to witness the decline and loss of our parents. Nothing had prepared me for relying and trusting on the kindness of others for her care. I consider myself and my siblings very blessed that our mom was in great hands in the skilled nursing setting that she was in. Not everyone is blessed with an exceptional story though. There are countless examples of elders being abused in their own homes, and in facilities where they are placed.

The elderly are taken advantage of too often. Scam artists and family members target the elderly for fraudulent requests for money and credit card information. Only 1 in 44 cases of financial abuse is reported, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA). Sometimes we hear of caregivers taking advantage of and being physically or sexually abusive to the elderly. 90% of abusers are family members or trusted others (NAPSA). There are even abuse situations that involve the elderly that are called into our crisis call line. We all have to do our share to make sure these things do not happen. If it does occur, report it immediately and seek the help of a victim advocate if a loved one is impacted by domestic violence or sexual assault. We have to take action to protect and care for the elderly. If we do not take action, who will? 
]]><![CDATA[Grateful and Focused]]>Wed, 31 Jan 2024 21:17:51 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/grateful-and-focusedBy: Sandra Ziebold
Over the past five years despite societal, pandemic, and economic struggles Beacon of Hope Crisis Center has had the privilege of serving over 6,130 women, men, children, and pets in need through our free services and programs.
We feel incredibly grateful.
Your support keeps our programs moving forward to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault become self-sufficient by providing them with safety, education, and support.

Our focus in 2024 is on resiliency, and continued enhancement of safety, education, and support surrounding the risk and impact of traumatic brain injury which can result from blunt force head trauma and strangulation victimization amongst those we serve.  We will continue to build on our strengths, providing outstanding human services advocacy programming, collaborative partnering, and evidentiary understanding that domestic and sexual violence are often a medical emergency. 
]]><![CDATA[Warning Signs of Elder Abuse]]>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/warning-signs-of-elder-abuseBy: Cheyenne Taylor
Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
Similarly to child abuse, we trust that our loved ones are safe in the hands of those closest to them; however, that is not always the case. Elder abuse can manifest in many ways, such as withholding food, not changing diapers, not bathing or showering, committing health care fraud, misusing funds, abandonment, or physical, sexual, and emotional violence1. This abuse can happen at the hands of a loved one, a hired caregiver, or even a stranger. It can occur in their home, a relative's, or a nursing home [1].

Warning Signs Include:
  • Appearing depressed, confused, or withdrawn;
  • Isolated from friends and family;
  • Having unexplained bruises, burns, or scars;
  • Appearing dirty, underfed, or like they have not received care for medical problems;
  • Changes in banking or spending patterns;
 
While some ailments might excuse these signs of abuse, they should be of concern if they come on suddenly or frequently without justifiable cause. It is critical to keep in contact with your elderly loved ones to be able to make note of these types of changes. Support victims of elder abuse by spreading awareness about this issue. If you have concerns about the care of an elderly loved one, talk with them and then report concerns to Adult Protective Services.

If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, our agency can help you. To speak with a trained victim advocate, call our confidential crisis line at 317-731-6140. In the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.
 
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse/spotting-signs-elder-abuse
]]><![CDATA[Essential Services and Trauma-Informed Care]]>Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:53:32 GMThttps://beaconofhopeindy.org/blog/essential-services-and-trauma-informed-careBy: Cheyenne Taylor and Savannah Archer
Essential Services and Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care describes an approach in health care and social sectors that reviews a person's life experiences to provide the most effective outcomes. At Beacon of Hope Crisis Center, we understand that each victim is different and unique and has varying preferences for how they would like to be supported. We recognize that we will not hear every detail of a victim’s background and that every person we encounter has their own story and history of trauma. We let victims lead and never force them to do anything. Victim advocates show up to help victims learn about abuse, identify options, and make personalized plans that meet their needs. We do our part to give them the tools to empower them to make the best decisions for themselves. Victim advocates also do their part to engage in continued training and education to help victims in whatever they face. For example, victimization from an intimate partner increases a victim’s risk for depression, PTSD, substance use, and suicidal ideation (National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health). The effects of domestic violence and sexual assault can be more complicated by factors including mental health, addiction, ability, race, immigration status, cultural beliefs, and more. Keeping these things in mind encourages us to check in with victims physically and mentally. This is also why we’ve enhanced our adaptability to serve all victims. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center has translated materials to raise awareness, interpreters are readily available, and our website has integrated Recite Me assistive technology to enable our web visitors to customize their digital experience to suit their needs.
 
The impacts of COVID-19 have also put additional stress on victims and their families. Victims are struggling to find housing, employment, and healthcare. These are all essential to maintaining independence and alleviating mental health crises. We are grateful to offer victims free domestic violence and sexual assault counseling. However, some victims need mental health resources with treatment for different conditions, medication, and an approach with a healthcare team. Victim advocates have also strengthened healthcare referral options, including helping victims obtain insurance, connect with a primary care doctor, access emergency healthcare, and, when necessary, connect to specialists for head, neck, and strangulation injuries. We help victims find affordable housing and new and better employment, learn about credit, and work toward their financial goals. To do those things, mental and physical health come first. Many victims are used to ignoring or pushing their own needs aside. Through the intake and follow-up process, we encourage victims to care for themselves, as it is an essential part of their healing journey. We could not make progress for those in need without building rapport, listening, and recognizing there is always more to learn.
 
We often see that when a victim contacts us for help, it is not the first time they experienced victimization. Children who witness violence have a higher chance of experiencing abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves. Additionally, people who have experienced abuse previously in relationships have a higher risk of revictimization (National Library of Medicine). Asking about their history of violence can help us identify solutions, which might help them process current and past trauma. No matter how long it has been since the abuse occurred, victims deserve access to confidential support, free services, and help navigating the next steps without judgment. There are no timeline criteria for victims seeking our services. Whenever they are ready, we are there to listen and believe them.
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