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By: Cheyenne Taylor and Savannah Archer  Victims of domestic violence endure a high percentage of stalking and harassment victimization during and after a relationship ends. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center saw a 47% increase in victims who experienced stalking and harassment from 2020 to 2022. Specifically, technology-facilitated abuse has been on the rise. Victims have reported abusers tracking their phone activity and location through apps, tracking their physical location with the use of Tile Trackers and Apple Air Tags, improper use of other GPS devices, monitoring inside their homes with hidden cameras, misuse of doorbell cameras for surveillance, and other devices manipulated to perpetrate abuse. Our agency can now assist with checking a victim's vehicle for tracking devices; if found, that information can be reported and added to a protective order request for the court's consideration. We are also seeing victims report that abusers are using different apps to send messages when phone numbers or emails are blocked. Stalkers use apps such as social media platforms, banking, school sites, and other sites that don't always have traditional means of blocking content. Victim advocates complete training to help victims create technology and social media safety plans. There is no time to waste when it comes to securing accounts.  Technology abuse is prevalent in our increasingly digital society. When abusers cannot access victims in person, they often use technology to monitor, harass, and stalk the victims. This gives abusers more access to perpetrate harm without disrupting their own lives and responsibilities. In one study, the National Network to End Domestic Violence reported that 71% of abusers monitor victims’ device activities, and 54% download stalkerware onto their partners’ devices. It is debilitating for a victim's mental health and affects their ability to utilize technology how the average person does: to take a break from their stressors. When the victim spends significant time at home, like following a medical procedure, working remotely, or during a global pandemic, abuse can become more pervasive. Reports show that the pandemic increased the rate and severity of technology abuse experienced. The pandemic also impacted abusers’ free time due to the loss of employment and working from home, which allowed them to modify or explore technology in new ways to harm victims. Technology abuse has been on the rise, and as technology develops and changes, so will the methods that abusers use to cause digital harm. Commonly, technology abuse can look like tracking devices, harassing messages, demands for intimate pictures or photos, and publishing private information about the victim. Spoofing is another example of technological abuse where the abuser disguises their messages or phone number to impersonate someone or to get around blocked contact settings. We are focused on enhancing prevention and safety planning for all victims at risk of technology-facilitated abuse. Senate Bill 161 passed, and Indiana now has a new law, unlawful surveillance. This bill adds a prohibition against using a tracking device to the list of conditions a court may impose when issuing a protection order. It also increases the penalty for stalking to a Level 5 felony if the offense is committed using a tracking device. A person who knowingly or intentionally places a tracking device on an individual or the individual's property without the individual's knowledge or consent commits unlawful surveillance, a Class A misdemeanor, unless certain exceptions apply, and increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony if the person is the subject of a protective order or has certain prior convictions. This change in the legislature establishes sentence enhancement if a person uses a tracking device to commit or facilitate the commission of a crime. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center will continue to advocate for victims, adapt to the changing times, and request improvements in the legislature to hold abusers accountable.
Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer McCloud as the new Chair of our Board of Directors. An experienced nonprofit leader in the Indianapolis community, Jennifer currently serves as Vice President of Development and Marketing for Steward Speakers, Inc., and is also a member of the leadership team at The Indianapolis Foundation. Jennifer formerly served as the Director of Chancellor's Office Operations at Ivy Tech Community College. She knows that it takes vision, creativity, and strategy to transform and support mission-focused organizations toward sound sustainable outcomes. She intuitively creates organizational cultures where operational effectiveness is enhanced by developing staff and preparing them to better understand the interconnectedness of operational areas, enhancing collaborative efforts, while achieving strategic goals, developing others, and creating advantage. Attuned to creating legacies, she welcomes and looks for opportunities to build future leaders and develop initiatives that further support long-term sustainability.
Jennifer was initially appointed to BOHCC's Board in 2021, serving most recently as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors. Jennifer is drawn to the innovative work being done at Beacon of Hope Crisis Center that focuses on reducing crime. She understands that when we can intervene early and get victims safe before domestic violence escalates, we are helping to reduce violence and the chance of felony assaults and domestic homicides. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center appreciates Jennifer’s continued leadership on the Board in her expanded role and the contributions she will make toward the continued growth and success of our work serving victims of crime.  Our Chief Executive Officer was honored recently by the Benedict Inn Sisters of St. Benedict. All of us at Beacon of Hope Crisis Center are so grateful for Sandy’s leadership and are very proud that she was nominated and selected to receive this deserved award. She received the Angels of Grace – Angel Michael Award! In her speech at the awards luncheon to the hundreds of attendees, Sandy spoke with the spirit of our agency, she educated the room, moved those listening from laughter to tears, and shared about our ongoing and amazing innovative work serving victims of crime.
“I am honored to receive this recognition. Thank you for this kindness. Thank you to all the Benedictine Sisters for the generous work that you do every day. The Angel Michael Award – Defender of the dignity and goodness of others! Wow – that IS what I do – but certainly not alone – I may lead this organization, but it is full of individuals with servants' hearts, and they too are defenders alongside me! This job is hard, and it is so amazing to be recognized for it! Saving lives and improving the quality of life for so many is why we do what we do every day and that is so truly rewarding!” – Sandy Ziebold
Beacon of Hope Crisis Center team members went out into the community to join our law enforcement partners at National Night Out events. We enjoyed getting the opportunity to participate and see everyone come together. Thank you for another year of great events!
By Sandra K. Ziebold
cruelty committed with the intent to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, or terrorize. Earlier this year Indiana SB 41 would have increased the penalty for animal cruelty from a Level 6 felony to a Level 5 felony if the act was committed with the intent to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, or terrorize. The bill did not get a passing vote by the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law. I disagree with the majority vote and with the proportionality reasoning basis given for the majority decision. I hope after further thought that the Senators with proportionality concerns reconsider their perspective. Raising the punishment for animal cruelty acts committed with the above-outlined intent does not mean that the punishment for other offenses would then need to be raised in response. Raising the other punishments should only happen if those crimes deserve harsher punishment. There is case precedent after case precedent showing animal cruelty precipitates escalated horrific crimes. Barely giving a consequence to someone that kills an intimate partner's pets to let them know they better not leave is not victim-centered and such a person deserves more than a felony 6. In my opinion, felony 5 isn't harsh enough as the intended victim was a human and will never feel safe from this abuser that was further empowered by minimal consequence. Additionally, in the particular situation that I am referencing two large animals died and that is three total victims. These horrific cases of harm to animals to exert power and control over victims happen all the time and we need to do more. Thank you, Senator Ford, for authoring this bill and for trying. I do hope there is another path forward to increase the penalty for animal cruelty.
We are actively taking new pet victims that meet the program criteria.
We are always in need of pet foster family partners.  Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is celebrating another fantastic year with Sandra Ziebold, our Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Over these last seven years, she has been an exceptional leader and voice for the victims that we serve. Navigating during an ongoing pandemic has not prevented her from growing the agency, building secure, lasting partnerships, and ensuring victims have access to all our services. She has gone above and beyond to ensure that no matter what barriers a victim may face, our team can assist and help break those barriers.
Our programs have continued to expand over the past year because of Sandy’s determination, dedication, and commitment to the accessibility of services for all domestic violence and sexual assault victims, both human and pet alike. Most recently, expanding language services. She dedicated time last year to creating and implementing an accessibility tool. This tool makes navigating our website easier for people of all capabilities, languages, and more. This labor of love has already made strides in helping people in our community. She has also continued to prioritize the health and wellness of her team throughout the ongoing pandemic. She has been a pillar in the community, serving as a witness expert in court, a mentor for interns and volunteers, a source of wisdom and education about domestic violence and sexual assault, and much more for all of the agency. We have continued to grow strong as an agency and increase the number of survivors we serve due to her staunch leadership and endless compassion for those in need. Thank you, Sandy, for your continued dedication to our agency, the community, and all survivors. We look forward to another fantastic year with you leading the agency! Happy Work Anniversary!
As we look back at 2022 and reflect on our hopes for the year ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to become self-sufficient by providing safety, education, and support for 2023. We want to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters and wish them the very best ahead. 2022 has been challenging for every individual, business, and society in general. The human and economic consequences of the past several years continue to compound and impact every facet of our lives, and the end to this struggle does not appear imminent. In these hard times, losses of significant grant funding, decreased donor support, increased societal demands, and shifts in how to meet the needs of so many have weighed heavily on our nonprofit. We have reached a level of lean that even we couldn’t conceive of previously, we have continued to serve our clients without fail and we have stayed vigilantly focused on protecting our people and making sure we did everything to ensure their wellness and safety. During this time many things have changed, including shifts in societal priorities, and new ways to work, problem-solve, and communicate. While these changes have made it difficult for our team in many ways, the difficult times have also been an opportunity to assess, appreciate, and innovate. Our team has shown such care, dedication, resilience, agility, and strength throughout 2022, ensuring business continuity and exemplary service for our clients. It’s hard to believe despite all that transpired during the year what we were able to accomplish. Despite all the obstacles, we served a significant number of clients, increased accessibility for all, and improved the identification of urgent medical needs and survivor access to medical care. The data says it all and I am so proud. All of you continue to amaze me with your never-ending adaptability and I thank you for your diligence and for being exceptional in these times. We may not be at the end of this struggle, but with every passing day, we are, getting closer to it. So, let’s stay positive, optimistic, and grateful. I hope you enjoyed the holidays and like me, are recharged and ready for 2023! In this new year, we will continue to evolve as an organization in new and exciting ways, without compromising our uniqueness, our values, our innovative approach, and our commitment to serving with quality. Let’s make 2023 the year that Beacon of Hope Crisis Center team members, community partners, supporters, and survivor allies rally together and increase support to help domestic violence and sexual assault survivors feel safety, kindness, and love!
 By: Simone Wimberly  Financial abuse is a form of domestic violence. It often goes undetected by the victim, especially in its earliest stages. However, identifying financial abuse in romantic relationships is imperative as it can be one of the first signs of dating violence. Financial abuse is also known as economic abuse. It occurs when “one intimate partner has control over the other partner’s ability to access, acquire, use, or maintain economic resources, which diminishes the victim’s capacity to support themselves and forces intentioned dependence.”
Many victims of financial abuse feel that they cannot leave their partner because they will not be able to financially support themselves or their families alone. If they end their abusive relationships, they may face difficulty finding affordable housing, food, or transportation. Victims with children face more financial obstacles. After years of abuse, those who do leave these relationships are highly likely to return to their abuser because establishing financial independence after years of financial abuse can be extremely difficult and may feel impossible. According to Forbes Magazine, four common types of financial abuse can occur within romantic relationships:
Every victim wants to achieve financial independence, which is the gateway to living their best life. Financial independence may not seem like a revolutionary concept. However, people should not take it for granted. Not everyone has the privilege of financial independence. Women, for example, have been historically marginalized in the Western economic system. As discussed in previous posts, the consequences can be detrimental. Financial independence is a powerful tool with many benefits. Having control of your finances, the ability to support yourself financially, and knowledge about how to manage your finances give you the freedom to make choices that are best for you. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and/or sexual assault, call our confidential hotline at (317) 731-6140. Victim advocates are trained to provide free help, referrals, and resources for those in need. There is hope for survivors. In the case of an emergency, please call 9-1-1. References: Forbes, 4 Warning Signs Of Financial Abuse—And How Victims Can Recover https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/signs-of-financial-abuse-domestic-violence-awareness/ WomensLaws. org, Financial Abuse https://www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/forms-abuse/financial-abuse By: Cheyenne Taylor  With the end of 2022 quickly approaching and 2023 on the horizon, we are asking for the assistance of our community to help our agency end this year on a high note. We have been very busy this year with meeting the increasing needs and requests from survivors in our community. In fact, in the first nine months of 2022, we served over 1,000 clients, filed 208 protective orders, received nearly 2,000 crisis calls, and prepared over 1,500 safety plans for victims. Our agency continues to see an uptick in client requests for services. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to amplify the risks and cause financial issues for victims that they struggle to overcome. Our agency has continued to address those needs and provide an abundance of services to help relieve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault of their burdens. In the first nine months of 2022, we utilized interpreter services for 371 crisis calls, had 52 clients accept referrals for specialized medical care out of the 224 who reported strangulation victimization. Additionally, we provided nearly 750 counseling sessions and shelter referrals to 1,408 domestic violence victims, many of whom were homeless and seeking safe housing. Overall, we provided new and existing clients with 3,693 services, including education on victim rights and the criminal justice system. All of this has been possible due to the diligent efforts of our agency staff, victim advocates, and the contributions from our devoted donors. By donating at the end of the year, you are helping us to continue to meet the growing needs of our clients and allowing us to prepare for these colder months, which bring a slew of unique issues. In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, consider giving back to Beacon of Hope Crisis Center so we can continue to meet the needs of those vulnerable in our community. Your help is needed more than ever, and this is the perfect time to act and give back to the survivors struggling to provide for their families or keep roofs over their heads. With even as little as $20, you can improve a survivor's circumstances and ensure they get a hot meal or gas in their car to make it to work. Your donation saves lives; utilize that power to make a difference. Speak with a victim advocate by calling our confidential crisis line at 317-731-6140. You can also reach us through our social media sites or contact us page. If you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.
Protective Order Filing  "I’ve been assisting a victim of domestic violence that has experienced psychological abuse, verbal abuse, and stalking. They have been overwhelmed and struggling to do their daily tasks. Their primary concern was working on safety and self-sufficiency. It was important to them that they were able to move past this as soon as possible. The victim wanted a protective order because their abuser was not leaving them alone and seemed to be getting more unstable as the incidents continued. I was able to schedule the protective order appointment soon after originally connecting with the victim. They were so thankful we could get them in quickly. During the appointment, I was able to explain each step of the petition and answer all the questions the victim had regarding the process. The victim was very thankful for the assistance with filing the protective order. They felt more confident about what to expect after I explained the next steps for the protective order process. The victim also told me they finally felt less alone. They really have not talked to many people about their experiences, so they felt better having an agency that believed them. I will continue working with this victim throughout the process to support them and offer additional resources."
Victim Advocate - Beacon of Hope Crisis Center If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and/or sexual assault, call our confidential hotline at (317) 731-6140. Victim advocates are trained to provide free help, referrals, and resources for those in need. There is hope for survivors. In the case of an emergency, please call 9-1-1. |
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