The Arc of Aurora's                                                                                                 June, 2011      Vtrail Update

Vulnerability Trail Update

Issues Related to Crime Victimization and People with Developmental Disabilities
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Opportunities
Resource
Articles



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The Arc of Aurora (CO) advocates for and with people with intellectual and/or other developmental disabilities and their families through individual and systems change advocacy, training and education, and individual, family and class support.
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Late Spring Greetings!

 

So many exciting things are going on around the country that we're thinking of adding a "Spotlight On..." section in our Vulnerability Tail Update in hopes of facilitating all of our networking capabilities.  If you have information to share for possible inclusion in this new section of this newsletter, drop me a quick email at jsarcaurora@aol.com and we'll arrange to chat on the phone.  I may just initiate a call to you for an update on your work one day, too...

 

Looking forward to chatting with you,  

Jean Solis

VTrail Update editor

The Arc of Aurora (CO) 
Opportunities

Apply for National Victim Assistance Academy 

Apply now for the National Victim Assistance Academy, to be held August 8-12, 2011, in Madison, Wisconsin. Continuing Education Units will be awarded to participants who complete all of the requirements of the Foundation-Level Training, Professional Skill-Building Institute, or Leadership Institute. The application deadline is July 29, 2011.

2011 NCVC Conference The National Center for Victims of Crime's 2011 National Conference, June 20-22, 2011, in Washington, DC, will feature more than 130 top experts and 80 skill-building workshops with key presentations on violence against women.  Registration is open.

Registration Open: 2011 National Sexual Assault Conference September 14-16, 2011
Baltimore, MD
This three-day advocacy-based conference provides advanced training opportunities and information regarding sexual violence intervention and prevention. Click HERE for registration information.  

 

The National Conference on Responding to Crime Victims with Disabilities aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of providers to effectively serve people with disabilities who are victims of crime. It will facilitate partnerships among the fields of victim assistance, advocacy for persons with disabilities, and all allied professions (e.g., adult and child protective service workers, faith-based practitioners, medical practitioners/forensic examiners, mental health practitioners, educators). The Conference will be held December 13-15, 2011, at the JW Marriott Orlando Grand Lakes in Orlando, Florida, and the conference committee is currently seeking Field-Generated Workshop Proposals and Applications for Community-Team Scholarships.  Visit the Conference website for more information.


Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime
OVC FY 2011 Victim Assistance and Compensation Professional Development -- Fellowship Program  

Resource

National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Releases Report on Unanalyzed Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases

NIJ has released a special report, "The Road Ahead: Unanalyzed Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases." This report examines the issue of untested sexual assault kits ("SAKs" often referred to as "rape kits") found in police evidence rooms, a problem that jurisdictions nationwide are struggling to solve.

 

As the country grapples with the discovery of thousands of older sexual assault kits, it is important that approaches to this problem balance justice, public safety and the victims' needs. This report highlights issues that must be examined in order to develop lasting solutions, such as how law enforcement determines whether a SAK should be sent to the crime lab for analysis and when (and if) victims should be notified when a jurisdiction discovers their untested SAK. The report also examines the complex issues regarding protocols for sending SAKs to the lab for analysis, triaging cases for analysis and determining appropriate police follow-up, and notifying victims about the discovery of their untested SAK.

 

This report addresses the nationwide need to move beyond "crisis management" to the adoption of systematic practices, procedures and protocols that will prevent this problem from happening in the future.

 

Articles


Caregiver Accused of Sexually Abusing Disabled Man

Tony Chestnut, 56, was arrested for sexually abusing a developmentally disabled adult man. The proof police say was found on computer. --- 10 Connects --- May 28, 2011 (CONNECTICUT)  http://is.gd/tVao1M

 

Care Worker Accused of Sexually Abusing Disabled Patient

A West Jordan man is facing criminal charges after being accused of sexually abusing a mentally disabled man who was in his care at a treatment facility. --- Desert News --- May 22, 2011  (UTAH)   http://is.gd/S0jYJZ

 

Mom, Son Plead Guilty in Fatal Neglect Case

The mother and brother of a 28-year-old disabled man who died after being found living in squalor pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of severe neglect. --- San Diego Union Tribune --- May 20, 2011  (CALIFORNIA)  http://is.gd/VX0CxU

 

Handi-Van Driver Accused of Sexually Assaulting Mentally Handicapped Woman

The woman has a mild mental handicap, police said. She reported her Handi-Van driver touched her inappropriately the afternoon of April 19. --- Honolulu Star-Advertiser --- May 20, 2011  (HAWAII) http://is.gd/aNmiEp

 

Man Sentenced in Vulnerable Adult Sex Assault on Bus in St. Paul
A 22-year-old man was sentenced for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman with Down syndrome while on a bus in St. Paul. Herbert Lee House III of St. Paul was sentenced to more than 5 years . --- KSTP.com --- May 18, 2011  (MINNESOTA) http://is.gd/1L3s8g 

 

Caregiver Sentenced After Allowing Mentally-Impaired Woman to Work at Strip Club

A Lexington caregiver has been sentenced to five years in prison for taking a mentally-handicapped woman in her care to work at a strip club. --- LEX18 Lexington KY News --- May 16, 2011 (KENTUCKY) http://is.gd/wTVvu4 

 

Rapist Admits Guilt over Raping Mentally Handicapped Victim

A Fort Wayne man accused of raping a mentally disabled woman has admitted guilt. 63-year-old David Langston entered a guilty plea Friday. --- Indiana's NewsCenter --- May 13, 2011 (INDIANA)  

 

Elderly Woman Accused of Sexual Torture

A 74-year-old Hamden woman was charged with physically and sexually abusing four mentally challenged clients in her care. Victoria Moreau is accused of forcing the ... --- NBC Connecticut --- May 13, 2011 (CONNECITCUT)  

 

Gainesville Law Firm Sues, Says Disabled Residents Were Mistreated

A Gainesville public interest law firm became the second area firm recently to draw statewide attention when it sued a Florida agency alleging that developmentally disabled men in a state facility were ... --- Gainesville Sun --- May 12, 2011 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/GtOPgv 

 

Legislature Kills Bill that Would Have Monitored Sex at Group Homes

A popular bill that could have regulated sex between the developmentally disabled in group homes was thwarted by last-minute legislative infighting. --- Tampabay.com --- May 11, 2011 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/tMLJvV 

 

Illinois Senate Panel Endorses Group Home Crackdown

A Senate panel unanimously endorsed legislation Tuesday aimed at cracking down on shoddily run group homes for developmentally disabled residents. --- Quad City Times --- May 10, 2011 (ILLINOIS) http://is.gd/LteD34 

 

Gruesome Opening to Trial in Greensburg Torture-Killing

... photos and tedious descriptions of physical evidence took center stage Monday in the trial of Angela Marinucci, the first of six defendants to face a jury in the torture and slaying of a 30-year-old mentally disabled woman . --- Pittsburgh Post Gazette --- May 10, 2011 (PENNSYLVANIA) http://is.gd/fY5sDu 

 

Low Funding, Long Waiting Lists Have Special Needs Adults Struggling to Find Work

Because the Illinois public school system provides special education for those with developmental disabilities only until their 22nd birthdays, that means . --- Chicago Sun-Times --- May 9, 2011 (ILLINOIS) http://is.gd/3nulCp 

 

Retired Toms River School Official Admits Molesting Special-needs Student

A retired Toms River High School North assistant principal has admitted molesting a special-needs student while the young man was doing odd jobs at his home last year. --- Asbury Park Press --- May 9, 2011 (NEW JERSEY) http://is.gd/3TQYp7 

 

DA: Teen Was 'Instigator' in Disabled Woman Death

A Pennsylvania prosecutor says a 17-year-old girl was "the prime instigator" in the torture and slaying of a mentally disabled woman last year. --- msnbc.com --- May 9, 2011 (PENNSYLVANIA) http://is.gd/y8O3ZN 

 

Attackers Tattoo 'Rapest' on Mentally Disabled Man's Forehead

In a sick and disgusting attack, a mentally disabled man in Oklahoma had the word 'rapest' [sic] forcibly tattooed on his forehead. The attack happened just days after . --- Gather.com --- May 4, 2011 (OKLAHOMA) http://is.gd/aqPcMq 

 

Raul Barrientos Accused of Raping Special Needs Student at Fullerton College

A 22-year-old man named Raul Barrientos was charged Wednesday with raping a 19-year-old special needs student at Fullerton College in California. --- Huffington Post --- May 4, 2011 (CALIFORNIA) http://is.gd/PpoGD0

The Arc of Aurora

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