October Fifth Tuesday Forum

October 31st is the final Fifth Tuesday Forum of 2006. Since it is also Halloween and Trick-or-Treat night for the kids, I have pushed back the starting time to 7:00 p.m. The forum will take place in rooms A&B of Oshkosh Public Library. Feel free to visit my Fifth Tuesday Forum webpage for information on past forums and to suggest discussion topics. I hope to see you there.

-Bryan

Take Back The Night

I received this via the university announcements list and wanted to re-post it here. I encourage all citizens to attend and march with me and others as we march for those who are no longer able to march for themselves.

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
March for Those No Longer Able to March for Themselves!

This year’s march is dedicated to those who have lost their lives due to domestic abuse/sexual assault

Wednesday, October 4, 2006 – 6:00 P.M.
Gather at Oshkosh Opera House Square (Across from the Grand Opera House)

Did you know?
Domestic violence is a serious issue that concerns all of us. Here are some general facts:

• Approximately 1.5 million women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.
• 3 million children in the United States are exposed to domestic violence in their homes.
• Approximately 90% - 95% of domestic violence victims are women.
• 25,021 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in Wisconsin in 2000.
• 49 people were killed in Wisconsin domestic homicides in 2002.

All statistics were found at: www.wcadv.org/?go=gethelp/faqs

Even though you may personally not be suffering from relationship violence, chances are that you have known someone or will know someone who is. The best thing we can do as responsible individuals is educate ourselves on the subject of domestic violence. Education allows us to know the signs, what to do, and where to go for help when confronted with a domestic abuse situation. The knowledge we gain puts us into a position to empower ourselves, help others, and put an end to domestic violence.

Domestic abuse is a systematic process of humiliating, demeaning, and controlling another person through behaviors that cause fear and intimidation. Domestic abuse occurs between current or former intimate partners. Abuse often begins with verbal and/or emotional and may escalate to include physical and/or sexual abuse. Abuse is about power and control. Here are some behaviors that abusers may use to gain power and control over their victims:

INTIMIDATION: Frightens you with looks, actions and gestures. Smashes things and destroys your property. Abuses pets. Displays weapons.

ECONOMIC ABUSE: Prevents your getting or keeping a job. Gives you an allowance or makes you ask for money. Doesn't allow you to know about or have access to family income.

COERCION AND THREATS: Threatens to harm you. Threatens to leave, commit suicide or report you to welfare. Makes you drop charges or do illegal things.

MALE PRIVILEGE: Acts like the master and treats you like a servant. Makes all the big decisions. Defines and enforces men's and women's roles.

USES THE CHILDREN: Makes you feel guilty about the children and relays messages through them. Uses visitation to harass you. Threatens to take the children by charging you with neglect and abuse.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE: Calls you names privately or in public. Puts you down and makes you feel bad about yourself. Tries to make you think you're crazy. Tries to make you feel guilty.

ISOLATION: Controls what you do, who you see and talk to, what you read and where you go. Limits your outside involvement and uses jealousy as justification.

DENIAL & BLAME: Makes light of the abuse and doesn't take your concern seriously. Denies abuse occurred. Shifts responsibility for the abuse by blaming you.

Domestic Abuse Intervention Project. Duluth, MN. http://www.acadv.org/pcwheel.html

IF YOU NEED HELP CALL LOCAL RESOURCES IN OSHKOSH:
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services 235-5998
The Crisis Hotline 233-7707
City of Oshkosh Police Department 236-5700 or 911
Hospital Emergency Room 223-2000 or 911

Remember, we can help fight domestic violence by educating ourselves on the subject. Great things happen when we all work together to stop domestic violence. If you are interested in an additional way to help stop domestic violence, please consider volunteering your time at the Christine Ann Center.

-Bryan