Ina Mae Greene Foundation- How we are working to break the silence!

 

 

 

.....because the road to safety should not be a dead-end!

 

 

 

 

 

The attached video is an interview  with Miss Jane McCormick. We at the foundation are working hard to keep domestic violence an issue that can be discussed by women without fear of being judged for having been in a violent relationship. Please look the video and leave a comment, we welcome your input and ideas on how we can improve our work, and continue to break the silence about this deadly crime.

June is Child Safety Awareness Month

Children are our most precious resource.

And as "stakeholders" in their future, it's crucial that we protect their innocence, their safety, and their formative years.

Dangers are ever-present.
Accordingly, June is designated as "Child Safety Awareness Month."
This awareness "focus" is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services to raise the consciousness level of parents, caretakers, and the general public, on how to foster a safe, healthy environment for today's children.

Depending upon a child's age, location, parental supervision, and environmental factors, there are many challenges and potential dangers they might be exposed to today.

Here are a few to consider:

• Internet Predators
• Cyber-bullying
• Ingestion of harmful chemicals
• Slips and dangerous falls
• Mental abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Car accidents
• Abductions
• Domestic violence

Staying informed and educated is the best "weapon" for their protection.

With this in mind, here are some timely strategies and practices to protect today's kids.

• If you're a parent or educator, keep the lines of communication open. Encourage them to share their fears and concerns in a healthy, age-appropriate way.
• Keep chemicals under lock and away from toddlers and curious little ones.
• Place monitoring devices and "blocks" on certain websites that might compromise your child's innocence.
• If possible, place computers in a "general" visible area in the home, where everyone has equal access.
• Never allow children to spend time at any one's home that you are not familiar with.
• If you're a single parent, be careful and mindful of who you bring home, and potentially expose your kids to. There are many software programs and websites that will allow you to conduct a background check on your "new friend." Better safe than sorry.
• Recognize that harsh words that belittle and demean can cause emotional scars, and contribute to mental abuse.   
• Domestic violence is a dangerous cycle. According to Turning Point Services.Org, 90% of children from violent homes, witnessed fathers who were abusive to their moms.
• They also report that abused children are arrested 4x more often than their non-abused peers. 

Let's all do our part to protect future generations, and break the cycle of abuse and neglect- by opening our ears, eyes, minds, and hearts and becoming more actively involved.

For more information and resources, visit WWW.CDV.ORG



Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Domestic Violence and the "Daddy Connection"

 

“Children live what they learn.”---

　
In the upcoming weeks, families across our country will honor and celebrate Father’s Day.
And it is recognition well deserved.

Good fathers serve a very valuable role in a progressive, balanced, stable, happy society.
They build strong families, offer support, nurturing and guidance, while providing the necessary “building blocks” for a solid foundation for our future generations.

Fathers are, by virtue of their roles, intended to be protectors and providers.

Boys learn how to be men at their hands, while daughters learn how to love through their example.
Often times, a girl who has witnessed domestic violence as a child views “love” and men through distorted lenses. It misguides. It sends the wrong message. It contributes to poor self-esteem, and may ultimately be her “undoing” and eventual death through an abuser.

An absentee father can be just as detrimental. According to statistics and studies provided by attorney Jeffrey Leving:

• Fatherless children are 11 times more likely to exhibit violent behavior than their two parent peers.
• Fatherless children are twice as apt to drop out of school than students living with a mom and dad in the household.
• 75% of teen suicides are from single family households.

These sobering statistics speak volumes, as to the needs of today’s father to be present and a positive influence; particularly in a climate with so much violence and dysfunction.

For those out there who continue to do the “right thing” we salute you. And we give our heartfelt thanks.

To those who have “gone on” before us, we remember and cherish you.

To those who are negligent in their duties, we issue this public service message: “Man up!”

　

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO YOU AND YOURS…

　

　
Image: Freedigitalphotos.net
　
stuart miles

Book Signing Scheduled for Launching of Blood Relatives

Please join us June 8th!

hicagoDarlene Greene,DdDar 

Every 7 seconds a woman is beaten

and abused by a partner or ex-partner.

Every 48 hours a woman is being murdered

in the United States and 25% of all

homicides in this country of women between

the ages of 15-24 are relationship or dating related.”

Darlene Greene knows about these and

other related statistics when it comes to

domestic abuse and violence against

women and girls. In her book,

Blood Relatives: Breaking the Cycle, Breaking the Silence, Darlene opens a vein and bleeds her painful truth. 

 Discover what the "buzz" is about...

PLACE: TOCCO CHICAGO
1266 N. MILWAUKEE AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60642
773-687-8895
 

TIME: 2:00-5:00 P.M.

Happy Mother's Day to You and Yours...

 

Mothers are among life's greatest treasures. They provide comfort, direction, support, wisdom, laughter, and understanding. Their sacrifice and love helps us to realize our full potential, so that we in turn can provide the same guidance to future generations.

They are our first teachers and role models.

They are our "silent" cheerleaders.

 

Where would any of us be without them?

 

Whether your mom is still here, or gone before you, take a moment to give thanks and reflective prayer.

 

Accordingly, the Ina Mae Greene Foundation would like to extend warm wishes for a beautiful and bountiful Mother's Day to each and every one of you.

 

May your day be filled with abundant blessings and memories worth cherishing...

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Darlene Greene  

 

 

 

 

 

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

A Look at Domestic Violence Through the Eyes of A Retired Cop...Interview With Gail Merriwether

In our efforts to enlighten, empower, and encourage those who have been touched by domestic violence, today IMGF shares an engaging interview with Officer Gail Merriwether.

Please feel free to pose your own questions through the "comments" section provided.


1. What's the biggest misconception that people have about domestic violence?

The Top three biggest misconceptions: That it mainly impacts poor minorities-- (it crosses every racial, social and economic boundary), that women aren't as likely to abuse (it's on the increase), and that those victimized are ready to end the relationship (not true).

 

2. How can a woman in a new relationship spot a potential abuser? Are there any red flags or warning signs?

 

 Biggest red flags? A man who discourages your other friend/family relationships (wants to keep you away from other people), and loses his temper too easily. This is not the same as discouraging the company of other guys he sees as potential threats (this is normal male behavior), or getting a little snarky after having a bad day. I advocate getting to know exactly who you're dating before getting intimately involved and that takes time as well as seeing the person in different situations.

3. Why aren't more perpetrators criminalized?

 

Actually they are quite often criminalized. The laws in Illinois take it seriously and favor the victim. So much so, that many men carry a scarlet letter on their backs (a domestic violence label in their record). But it cuts both ways---some innocent men have been falsely labeled after being accused out of vengeance or spite following an argument, or from having been part of a simple pushing/shoving match as an immature 17 year old. The result is a record that follows him/her for a lifetime preventing any future government employment or job that would involve weapons such as police officer or security guard.

 

4. Do you think that domestic violence is more or less prevalent in the time since you initially became a cop?

 

 I would say it is more prevalent. I would ascribe much of it to a breakdown in the family structure, which spawns girls with low self esteem (ripe victims) and fatherless boys who have never been schooled in how to treat a female (ready abusers). There was a time when a girl's father or brothers would 'have a talk' with Joe Blow if he maltreated their sister or daughter. With the last few generations bearing ever smaller families, and many women today living on their own, that 'protective big brother' ingredient is missing, leaving us to turn to the law to take the place of what used to be handled as a family matter.

 

5. Would you recommend, ( as a deterrent) that women take self-defense classes or carry a gun?

 

I definitely recommend women take self-defense classes (more than one type) because it gives you a sense of assurance that, if attacked, you have some kind of game plan in mind, it familiarizes you with adversarial physical contact, and at the very least, you go down fighting and hopefully taking a piece of him with you! I have heard that some advise not to fight back, and in the case of a weapon you have to weigh your options carefully, but you must always assume the perpetrator intends to kill you. Why go willingly?

 

I do advocate women learning to shoot. Take courses on a shooting range and qualify with different types of weapons. Shooting is not a male or female thing; it is a neutral skill that involves eye-hand coordination and concentration, and well worth learning. Not surprisingly, many women find they are good at it. Either way, acquiring the knowledge enables you, should you ever come across one, or decide to own one, to know how to handle, use, load, or unload it safely.

 

6. How can those of us that know someone who is being victimized help?

I mentioned before that not everyone in a domestic violence situation is always ready for help. Some are in denial. Some want to work it out. Some want to wait for the other person to change. Some truly love the abuser (albeit an unhealthy love) and will not leave the situation no matter what anyone says.

 

The best thing you can do is;

1) Be ready to listen with a sympathetic ear. Use caution in giving advice--it may backfire if the victim decides to get back together with the abuser.

2) Do not insert yourself in the middle of the conflict by confronting the abuser.

3) Know the laws in your city regarding domestic violence and orders of protection, as well as abuse hotline numbers. Be ready to share this information with the victim should the opportunity arise.

4) Stay in regular contact with the person if possible; check on their well-being with phone calls or visits.

5) Be ready to call police if the situation warrants (hearing fights, screams, or things breaking). If they are never informed, the situation won't be on their radar.

6) Be ready to testify as a witness to incidents you have seen or heard

7) Be ready to call the nearest hospital or police station on the victim's behalf if they come to you for assistance. There are a number of organizations and hotlines who will handle it from that point.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month*Things You Should Know...

To increase awareness of sexual violence, April has been designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States.

What is sexual assault?
Wikipedia defines it as: "Any involuntary sexual act in which a person is threatened, coerced, or forced to engage against their will, or any sexual touching of a person."

Sexual Assault Awareness Month has a broad and deep history, with roots that first originated in England, through an event called "Take Back the Night".
This movement gained great support and then became recognized in the U.S., in the late 70s, in New York and San Francisco. Through protests and rallies, in solidarity, women came together to respond to attacks that were happening as they walked the streets late at night.

Through a series of events, Sexual Assault Awareness Month became recognized and officially observed in the U.S. in April of 2001. It now also includes acts perpetrated against men as well.
During April, educational programs, publications, and events are sponsored worldwide to help the public to understand what sexual assault is and how it can be prevented.

In keeping with this effort, here are some important statistics you should know:

According to Rape Abuse and Incest National Network,  RAINN.ORG

• Every 2 minutes in the U.S. a person is sexually assaulted.
• 54% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police.
• 38% of rapists are a friend or acquaintance.
• 97% of rapists will never be incarcerated, not even for a day

These alarming statistics underscore the importance of more education, effective legislation, and continued efforts to end sexual assault, so that we may restore safety to our communities and to our homes.

For more information visit:  http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/sexual-assault-awareness-month-home