Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 3

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January 31, 2009
STAFF Genevieve N. Waller, Esq. Interim Executive Director Georgina Hance Office Manager
New Beginnings
Sexual Abuse of the Elderly: Risk Factors and Signs
— A. Katie Reid, MSW Community Education Director
Volume 1, Issue 3
Sherry Lewis, MA, LPC Director of Therapy and Outreach Alexanderia Smith-Glenn, Ph.D. Director of Crisis Services Katie Reid, MSW Community Education Program Director Mary Dell Amick Volunteer Services Coordinator Melanie Griffin, MSW Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Daphne Pearson, MA, LPC-I Advocate Counselor Jennifer Gantt, MSW Group Services Coordinator Sarah Eaton Clinical Intern Jamie Stein Education Intern Reonda Washington Education Intern
IN THIS ISSUE
Board Member of the Quarter St. Patrick’s Day Info Golf Tournament Volunteer of the Quarter Thank you to Quarter Supporters Events Calendar
2 2 3 3 4 5
Those who follow local news will remember that in the fall there were two high profile cases of rape in downtown Columbia. These horrific crimes bring everyone’s attention to a national problem that affects our entire country, as well as our own community in South Carolina. Although sexual abuse and rape more commonly affect children and youth (80 percent of victims are under 30 years old), the elderly are not immune to these crimes. Statistics of sexual assaults on the elderly are hard to find. The U.S. Department of Justice Statistics reported (2000) that from 19921997, 3,280 rape/sexual assaults were committed against women age 65 or older. However, we know that many more cases of elder abuse go unreported. The issue of elder abuse is complex, and there are many risk factors for victimization, including:  Perpetrators are usually spouses or caregivers.
Abusers are often dependant on
victims for financial assistance, housing or other support; Risk factors are higher if the abuser is living with the elder because victims are often socially isolated and lack support systems; and caregivers who abuse usually lack formal training to care for elderly, are under large amounts of stress, and may be depressed. Signs of physical and sexual abuse may include visible wounds, bruises, or cuts. Signs can also include the caregiver not allowing the elder to be alone with visitors, sudden changes in the elder’s behavior, or the elder reporting being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused. If you suspect an elderly person is being abused, help can be found at the SC DSS at 803-898-7318. If you know someone who has been sexually abused, help can be found at Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands at 800-491-7273.
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Board Member of the Quarter — Lt. Heidi Scott
Heidi Scott is a certified law enforcement officer and has worked for The Richland County Sheriff's Department for the last ten years. She is currently a Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division, and works specifically with the Victim Services and Special Victims units. She was recognized as the D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year for the State of South Carolina in 2001, while serving as a School Resource Officer. Heidi served approximately nine years in the United States Army Reserves/ South Carolina National Guard. She received her Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Sociology from Coker College, in Hartsville, South Carolina; and then received her Master's of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University. In addition to her service on the STSM Board, Heidi is a member of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Association, the Police Benevolence Association, the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Victim Advocate Association. Heidi’s hobbies primarily revolve around her family. She likes to camp, spend time on the lake and go to sporting events with her husband, Randy Scott, and their eight children. The children range from ages four to twenty, so life is always very adventurous for her! Heidi recently spent an entire afternoon training STSM’s staff in Rape Aggression Defense. Thank you, Heidi, for a great team building experience!
From July 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009 STSM served 1,084 survivors. Of these individuals, 978 were primary victims of sexual assault or abuse and 106 were secondary. For the primary and secondary survivors, the agency provided 188 hospital accompaniments (services were also provided to another 76 secondary survivors who accompanied the primary survivors). The agency provided 273 hotline calls, and 1,000 follow up services. In addition, the clinical staff completed 481 counseling sessions with 117 individuals, 59 crisis counseling services with 33 survivors, and 1,223 group therapy services with 417 individuals.
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Volume 1, Issue 3
Volunteer of the Quarter — Rebecca Ridgeway
Rebecca has been volunteering with STSM since the summer of 2006 and has loved every minute of her time with the organization. Rebecca says, “I enjoy the reassurance that my volunteer commitment is truly helping others, which I have not always had in other service endeavors. I a m proud to be part of such an important community resource for survivors of sexual abuse, and I look forward to continuing my service.” Rebecca, we are proud to have you!
Rebecca has taken hospital calls even when she wasn’t signed up to be on-call, referred many volunteers to the agency, and once even went on a thirteen hour hospital call! Survivors who have worked with Rebecca say she is one the most patient, caring individuals they have every met and can’t imagine going through the evidence collection process without her support. Rebecca’s dedication to the agency and her compassion in working with survivors make her an excellent choice for Volunteer of the Quarter. -- Mary Dell Amick, Volunteer Services Coordinator, STSM
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THANK YOU TO OUR THIRD QUARTER SUPPORTERS!
Jane Lawther Colonial Life Susan and Brian Amick Frank Avignone Gayle Aycock Nancy Barton Jason Bobertz Sarah Boyd Cheryl Bullard George and Tona Chandler Laura Chapman Richard and Rebecca Coulter Brenda Curl Timothy Darling James Davis John and Elizabeth Dodgen Gwendolyn and John Drakeford James Dubose Augustus Farmer Mary Audrey and Joe Finazzo Alfonso and Maria Gonzalez Amanda Harrison Janet Heuer Leigh Leventis Mimi Maddock Deborah Richards Debra and Carl Richardson Maxine and Alan Rosenfeld Ray Rusmussen Kelly Shuptrine Helen and Sol Silver Linwood and Judith Small Jacqueline Smith Alexis Stratton Rex and Beth Taylor Agnes Rogers Circle Trenholm Rd UMC Thomas Wagner Lynn Weber Cynthia and Arthur White Mitzi Winesett St. Peter's Catholic Church Schmoyer and Company, LLC SCCADVASA First Citizens Zoe’s Kitchen
In Memoriam Laura Watkins, previous STMS volunteer advocate, lost her battle with cancer on December 8, 2008. In 2004, Laura was awarded STSM's Hope Award and was also awarded the Governor's Award for Volunteerism for her work with survivors of sexual assault. Laura's compassion and dedication to STSM and survivors was inspirational. When Laura was unable to be on call for hospital calls due to the effects of kidney dialysis and chemo, she continued to answer the 24-hour crisis line when she could. She believed in STSM's mission and cared deeply for those she felt she helped by answering calls. She was loved and admired by STSM's staff. “Getting to know Laura and work with her was one of the greatest rewards and joys of being STSM's volunteer director. How fortunate STSM was to have such a special young woman give so selflessly to the agency and survivors.” Eve Wilson, former Executive Director, STSM. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura’s family. She will be missed.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Volume 1, Issue 3 Volume 1, Issue 3
February 22, 2009 “Strong Men, Kind Hearts” Strongman Competition, Thunder Tower Harley Davidson (proceeds benefit STSM) February 24-26, 28-29, and March 1, 2009 Volunteer Advocate Training April 2009: Sexual Assault Awareness Month 9: SCCADVASA Jean Day at the Capital 15: Movie in the Park at Finley Park 20: 5th Annual “Tee It Up for STSM” Golf Tournament 22: Partner Appreciation Open House 5:30 pm-7 pm
W E’ RE ON W EB!
THE
2008-2009 STSM Board of Directors
President: Kaye Jones, Colonial Life Vice President: Cheryl Bullard, SCDHEC Treasurer: Randy Senn, SCANA
WWW. STSM. ORG
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STSM) is a private, nonprofit, United Way member agency that provides free services to survivors of sexual assault and their families, including 24-hour crisis hotline, hospital accompaniment, legal and personal advocacy, individual and group counseling, and community education in Richland, Lexington, and Newberry Counties. Join STSM to improve the quality of the lives of survivors, reduce the risk of sexual assault, and ultimately prevent sexual assault; thereby, making the Midlands a healthier, safer, and better place to live.
At Large: Judy Powers, NBSC At Large: Guy Bradley, SCANA Jason Bradley, BCBS Jim Burns, USC Walter Caudle, The MMTG Group Kay Crapps, Colonial Life Mike Heaton Southeastern Freight Lines Elizabeth Potter, SCDHEC Lt. Heidi Scott Richland County Sheriff’s Department Preston Winkler, Greater Columbia Community Relations Council
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3700 Forest Drive, Suite 350 Columbia, SC 29204 Phone: 803-790-8208 Fax: 803-790-8282 E-mail: stsm@stsm.org or ginny.waller@stsm.org Website: www.stsm.org
The mission of Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands is to provide services to survivors of sexual assault and abuse and education about sexual trauma issues.
Yes! I would like to invest in my community by donating to Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands Donor Levels
$501+ Enthusiast $301-500 Advocate $101-300 Defender Other Phone $51-100 Supporter $1-50 Friend Name Address Second Quarter
Email Exp Date Card Number Signature You can donate online at www.stsm.org
Thank you for your support of our community!