Domestic Violence Is
an LGBT Issue
When one survey asked LGBTQ victims of intimate-partner violence “where do you seek help?,” the most common answer was: Nowhere.
The National Violence Against Women survey found that 21.5 percent of men and 35.4 percent of women living with a same-sex partner experienced intimate-partner physical violence in their lifetimes, compared with 7.1 percent and 20.4 percent for men and women, respectively, with a history of only opposite-sex cohabitation. Transgender respondents had an incidence of 34.6 percent over a lifetime according to a Massachusetts survey.
The CDC’s 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, released again in 2013 with new analysis, reports in its first-ever study focusing on victimization by sexual orientation that the lifetime prevalence of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner was 43.8 percent for lesbians, 61.1 percent for bisexual women, and 35 percent for heterosexual women, while it was 26 percent for gay men, 37.3 percent for bisexual men, and 29 percent for heterosexual men (this study did not include gender identity or expression).
Violence occurs in the LGBTQ community at about the same rate as among heterosexual individuals, “My No. 1 concern is that people don’t recognize that it’s happening all around them,” says Adam M. Messinger, an assistant professor at Northeastern Illinois University.
Compared to people of all orientations, bisexual women are 60 percent more likely to enter an abusive relationship.
Myths about domestic violence, victims’ fear and shame, a silence that stems from a desire not to harm perceptions of the LGBT community — all these together contribute to making the problem invisible to others. Many people who are suffering either don’t realize that they’re in a terrible situation or don’t know where to go or who to tell. They wonder who will listen, who will believe them.
The Network/La Red is based in Boston but offers help and specializes in LGBT concerns across the country. Its hot line is (617) 742-4911.
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Upcoming Training Save the Dates
The Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence (MCEDSV) will be sending training for the following trainings:
Teen Sexual Violence Prevention Educator
Kaylynn Cairns,
July 11th
Internet Misconduct & On-line Revenge-Scott Zochowski
- This one day training will provide an overview Internet Misconduct & On-line Revenge:
- New terms, apps, and social media being used in relationships;
- Resources & risk reduction factors to better protect clients and community members;
- Cyberstalking-meaning, intersectionality, and understanding of its appeal in a digital world;
- Recent cases and scenarios in relation to Michigan laws.
· July 12th
Trauma Informed Care & Investigations-Amanda Barratt & Elinor Jordan
- Learn about best practices when conducting Title IX investigations, specifically:
- Trauma-focused approaches to engaging survivors;
- How to explain and guard confidentiality;
- Appropriate reporting; and
- Considerations for common scenarios faced by investigators.
· August 1st
Creating a Collective Community Response-Suzette Waldon Cole
- Suzette Waldon Cole, from Campus Speak, will be coming to present on her experience with Title IX, for all schools, and how it can be a catalyst for better community response to ending the cycle of violence and maintaining community safety.
More information can be found on the Sexual Violence Prevention Team of the EUP Facebook page or by contacting Kaylynn Cairns, cairnsk@dprcenter.org or 906-635-0566
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Language Choices:
Kaylynn Cairns
We have all heard of the terms “Victim Blaming” and “Rape Culture,” but rarely are we addressing one of the biggest underlying issues involved with these two very important secondary prevention topics...language. It is great to “Start by Believing” or refuse to buy a product due to the company’s advertisement or policy related to sexual violence but that is not taking a primary stance of prevention. In the world of prevention there are two ways we can work to educate: primary and secondary prevention methods.
When we talk about taking a stance, it is usually in the secondary realm, in which something has already happened or in the process of happening with bystander intervention. So it is important for our society to start taking a better stance with primary prevention, to stop these types of things before they happen. One of the best ways we can change victim blaming and rape culture is to better examine the language we are using and make changes to end violence through our word choices.
Some examples of the language we use:
Negative-
· “You throw like a girl.”
· “That’s so gay.”
· “She is such a b****.”
· “I’m gonna punch you in the face.” (sarcastically)
Positive-
· “We will practice throwing more.”
· “That’s your style.”
· “She is not very nice.”
· “Sometimes you really frustrate me.”
Our language changes based on who we are around, where we live, what we watch on TV, or listen to on the radio. The above examples provides just some of the many common language choices being made in our society and community. Now, for the most part, nobody means anything by these terms. They have become as common as breathing, drinking a cup of coffee, or saying ‘hello’ to someone on the street. However the reality is, slowly overtime, it changed our perceptions of what is acceptable and not.
Whether it is violence, bullying, body shaming, victim blaming, discrimination, or just bad manners, the language words we use has an impact on the way we look at someone or a situations. It is up to our society, young and old, educated and uneducated, to make a change in the choice we have. It takes just as long to say an actual descriptive word rather than just a stereotype.
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From the Director
-Betsy Huggett
Several months ago, I was engaged in a discussion with Janet Strahan from the United States Attorney’s Office. We were talking about how many Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) we have in our region. She was explaining a problem that seems prevalent in the UP with being able to provide adequate, well-trained services on the medical front to survivors of sexual assault. Being in a rural area, it’s always an area of concern. Are we doing enough to aide our survivors? Is there something more we could be doing? What is the cost associated with this?
This lead to a conversation with Melissa Copenhaver from Northern Michigan University and her desire to bring the SANE training to the UP and get as many SANE trained nurses as possible. This seemed like a daunting task. So in true Yooper fashion, we reached out to our sister agencies across the UP and said we needed their help. They were feeling the same as us. We collectively had 2 SANE nurses in the UP. Considering that our UP is 16,452 square miles and has 311,361 people, it seems we needed more.
So on May 15-19, NMU hosted the SANE training and at least 15 nurses received the training necessary to start their certification process. We have 6 of those individuals right here in the EUP. In Mackinac County, we have Dr. Susan Strich, M.D., and Frank Maygar Jr., RN from the Mackinac Straits Medical Center, and Amber Brimmer, RN, and Nicole Riccinto, RN from the Mackinac Straits Medical Center on Mackinac Island. In Chippewa County, we have Sandi King, RN, who is a professor at Lake Superior State University in their nursing program. And in Luce County, we have Erica Burke, RN, at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital.
We are so proud of these people who have stepped forward to take up this daunting task. You see, it’s not just about providing medical care to someone who has been traumatized and may not want to be touched. The Sexual Assault Kits that need to be performed to collect and preserve as much evidence as possible is invasive, personal, and can be traumatizing all by itself. This kit can take at least 4 hours to perform. The commitment these people have taken on is nothing short of amazing.
For more information on the performance of sexual assault kits go to this link. https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
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We would like to give thanks for all of the volunteers and donors that participated in this years Father Daughter Dance held on May 13, 2017. Because of you, we were able to raise almost $2,000 this year. Thank you so much for your continued compassion and caring for the people in need of our services. It is greatly appreciated.
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The Diane Peppler Resource Center Welcomes New Staff!
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*Elizabeth Carrick will be taking on Shelter Worker on the weekends. She will also be an Advocate in our St. Ignace office. She majors in Social Science and hopes to one day work in therapy and alterative medicine. Elizabeth is excited to be working in her field of choice, help clients meet their goals and gain their independence. We are excited to be working with her.
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*Megan Hall has been one of our Night Monitors for some time now after she completed her undergraduate internship with us. She recently graduated from Lake Superior State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. We are thankful that she has accepted the positions of Child/Youth Advocate here at DPRC. We look forward to watching her bloom in her new position.
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*Bridget Akre is taking over the Volunteer Coordinator position as of 6/19/2017. Bridget has almost 10 years of experience working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She began at the Women’s New Hope House helping drug addicted women find themselves during the beginning of their recoveries. Drug addiction is one of the most common coping mechanisms among victims of DV/SA. While the violence is not the focus of a drug rehab facility, it is very prevalent. She then was the Shelter Manager of the Sault Tribe’s Advocacy Resource Center’s Lodge of Bravery for the last 5+ years. We look forward to this new addition to our team.
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We gladly accept donations. The need for donors is constant. Here is a brief wish list that the shelter has (in no particular order):
- Monetary Donations via PayPal, Cash or Check
- Gift Cards to local stores, gas stations or other establishments.
- Towels (of all sizes & in good shape)
- Baby Monitors (gently used and in working order)
- Diapers of all sizes, baby wipes, baby wash and lotions, creams or medicines
- Trash Bags
- Toilet paper, paper towel, etc.
- Clothes Hangers
- Laundry Baskets
- Plastic Storage Bins
- New Batteries of all sizes
- New Unopened Packages of Underwear and Socks
- Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener, and Dryer Sheets
- Personal Hygiene Products and Feminine Products (shampoos, conditioners, body washes, razors, shaving cream, hair brushes, q-tips, tampons, etc.)
- New Pillows
- Unopened over the counter medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, allergy medications, tums, children’s medicine, etc.)
- First aid kits
- Hand soaps and hand sanitizer
- Children’s Craft Items
- Household cleaning items
- Non Perishable Food items and Some Non-Expired Perishable Foods
- Kitchen Items including dishes, pots and pans, utensils, and knife sets
- Landscaping Items: Plants, flowers, woodchips, etc.
If you have any questions about what you can donate, call 906-635-0566.
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You can shop online at smile.amazon.com to make those same exact purchases and they will make a donation to the Diane Peppler Resource Center every time that you purchase from their website!
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If you are a victim, or are a friend or family member of a victim, in need of support, here are local support group options hosted by the Diane Peppler Resource Center that you are more than welcome to attend. If you have questions about locations, times, or topics of discussion please call us at 1-800-882-1515
Chippewa County
Domestic Violence Group
Every Thursday
6pm-8pm
Sexual Violence Group
Every Tuesday
6pm-8pm
Mackinac County
Walk in anytime
8am-4pm
Monday—Friday
246 Ferry Lane
St. Ignace MI
Luce County
Walk in anytime
8am-4pm
Monday—Friday
407 W. Harrie St.
Newberry MI
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You can donate to our shelter using the PayPal link on our website www.dprcenter.org
The Diane Peppler Resource Center uses monetary donations to purchase specific items for residents when the items are not donated or can't be donated. This can include but is not limited to: undergarments, medications, and specific dietary restriction food items.
All donations are tax deductible. Donation receipts available upon request.
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We would like to thank all of the donors who supported the Diane Peppler Resource Center in the month of May.
- Wanda Trosclair
- Jimmy Johns
- Damon Whitten
- Joyce Cram
- Geargina Kester
- St. Paul’s Church
- Melissa Wilson
- Kaylynn Cairns
- Elks Lodge
- Karen Bumstead
- Chuck & Lisa Hoffricher
- Jump Up
- Tanglewood Marsh
- Sears
- Kay Boyne
- Cheryl Tellas
- Janet Hess
- CC Hall
- Simply Unforgettable
- Don Corbiere
- And many anonymous donors
We would also like to thank our volunteers for giving their time in the month of May.
- Don Corbiere
- Ellen Quinlivan
- Jennifer Dibble
- Denise Maxson
- Caitlin Spink
- Megan Hall
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The Diane Peppler Resource Center is looking for volunteers to help with the following:
- In House Night Monitor
- Working in the shelter to support our staff and residents
- Landscaping/Yardwork
- Overnight crisis line volunteers
- Organizing/cleaning of the shelter garage and storage areas
- Weekly sanitation/cleaning of our shelter
- Child Care for our residents in shelter who may need to attend work or appointments
- Moving services for residents that need assistance moving into independent housing
Please Contact Bridget Akre at akreb@dprcenter.org or call 906-635-0566 if you can help with any of these.
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