Vulnerability Trail News

Vulnerability Trail Update Vol./Year 5, No. 4 April, 2013

Issues Related to Crime Victimization and People with Developmental Disabilities

In This Issue

Opportunities

Resources

Articles

Quick Links

March V-Trail Update

More about The Arc of Aurora

It's Time To Talk About It PSA

Our Mission

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.

Greetings -

What a busy month April is: Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Crime Victims' Rights' Week (NCVRW), and Child Abuse Awareness Month, all designations that include recognition of victims with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here in Aurora, we worked with members of our Collaborative to Address Crime Victimization of People with Developmental Disabilities to host a NCVRW ceremony that included a speaker on the neurobiology of trauma. What a great way to recognize the impact crime, including the July 20 theater shooting, had on many in our community!

Tomorrow is Denim Day, and we are supporting our partner, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, in recognizing the day as part of our Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities. If you don't know about the day or its history, do check it out.

And we continue working to confirm our October 10-11 Balancing the Scales of Justice conference details... Keep posted.

Too, keep energized, keep focused!

Cheers to spring!

Jean Solis

VTrail Update editor

The Arc of Aurora (CO)

Opportunities

Caring For Older Patients Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence

There is still time to register! The US Department of Justice's National Protocol for Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations emphasizes the delivery of high-quality, victim-centered care for all sexual assault victims. The SAFEta webinar series is a collection of instructional webinars that present information on a wide range of topics for professionals who are working with adults and adolescents who have experienced sexual assault. This webinar will provide information that will be helpful when caring for elder patients who are victims of sexual assault. Considerations for history taking, physical examination techniques and tips as well as referral sources and reporting responsibilities when working with this vulnerable population will be included in the presentation. Kathleen Brown, RN, MSN, CRNP, PhD, FAAN is the speaker for this important topic.

The Frontier Regional FASD Training Center is offering Ethical Issues of FASDs April 24, 2013 -- 11am-12:30pm (Mountain). This webinar training will cover the intersection of biomedical ethics and practice with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). FASDs are defined as a continuum ranging from mild intellectual and behavioral issues to the extreme that often leads to profound disabilities or premature death. They are caused solely by maternal prenatal alcohol exposure. They are not hereditary and last a lifetime. Presenters will define the basic terminology related to FASDS and participants will be able to differentiate between FAS and FASD. Ethical issues related to FASDs will be identified, described and defined with special consideration towards patient/client confidentiality. The four basic principles of bio-medical ethics will be covered and discussed along with ethical frameworks and guidelines for decision making. Finally, a case study will be presented, which will provide the participants the opportunity to apply the ethical decision making process and informed decision making in health and social service settings.

The National Center for Victims of Crime 2013 National Conference is September 9-11, 2013 in Phoenix. A host of experts will lead informative and skill-building sessions on topics such as:

Child and youth victimization

Violence against women

Trauma and resilience

Victims of human trafficking

Immigrant victims

Elder abuse

Organizational capacity

and much more!

Registration is open.

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Resources

Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities: A National Snapshot

Children with disabilities are three times more likely than children without them to be victims of sexual abuse, and the likelihood is even higher for children with intellectual or mental health disabilities. These children face many challenges in reporting the abuse and receiving vital services designed to meet their needs. Without receiving support, these children suffer long-term aftereffects, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, as well as an increased risk of victimization in adulthood. Vera's Center on Victimization and Safety partnered with the Ms. Foundation for Women in 2012 to examine the prevalence of this abuse and existing responses and to recommend next steps for a national strategy to respond to this epidemic. This issues brief summarizes the study, its findings, and its recommendations.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and April 21 began National Crime Victim's Rights Week. People with disabilities face a disproportionate amount of sexual trauma. The rate of sexual abuse/assault is twice that faced by people without disabilities, and those with cognitive disabilities face the greatest risk of all. Find out more about sexual violence and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the effort to raise awareness about sexual violence during April.

IAFN Foundation Scholarship Program accepting applications

The International Association of Forensic Nurses' Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance for members and other forensic nurses from around the world who might otherwise be unable to attend the organization's annual International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice. This year's International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice will be in Anaheim, California from October 21-24, 2013. All Forensic Nurses may apply. Applicants who have been IAFN members for a minimum of twelve (12) months immediately preceding the application deadline may apply directly. All other applicants, including those who are non-members, must be sponsored by a current member. The award covers the Registration Fee for the International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice and includes a $1,000 allowance to be used to offset travel, accommodations or meals while attending the conference. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time, May 2, 2013.

Report Details Hate Crime Victimization

The Bureau of Justice Statistics has released Hate Crime Victimization, 2003-2011. This Special Report presents annual counts and rates of hate crime victimization that occurred from 2003 through 2011, using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). This BJS study finds that nearly two-thirds of hate crimes went unreported to police in recent years. Too, crimes where the victim reported offender bias based on disability increased nearly 50%.

2013 NCVRW Theme DVD Now Available

The Office for Victims of Crime announces the release of the 2013 National Crime Victims' Rights' Week (NCVRW) Theme DVD. This 6-minute video, New Challenge. New Solutions., is accompanying this year's Resource Guide. OVC encourages organizations to use the introductory theme DVD throughout the year at public awareness, education, and training events in local communities to promote and advance the cause of justice for victims of crime. Visit the DVD's resource page for additional tips for using the DVD and holding your own screening.

Responding to Elder Abuse: What Law Enforcement Should Know (DVD)

This DVD produced by the Office for Victims of Crime is intended for use by law enforcement officers responding to situations of suspected or alleged elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in private residences, nursing homes, or other long-term care facilities. The first section of the video describes the different types of elder abuse that can be found in any situation and discusses how to determine whether abuse has occurred and who the perpetrator is. Different types of elder abuse include financial, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The next section of the video discusses how to respond to allegations of elder abuse in residential facilities. Suggestions are provided on what to look for in terms of physical abuse, how to determine who the perpetrator/s is/are, and how to respond to family members who have reported the allegations. This section is followed by information on how to interview elderly victims, how to document suspected cases of elder abuse, and how to obtain information while maintaining the health and safety of the victim. The final section of the video deals with the need for working within and among different agencies to determine whether abuse has occurred and for finding solutions to the problem.

Articles

Hanson Man Accused of Rape, Assaulting Intellectually Disabled Person

A 68-year-old Hanson man has been indicted on four counts of rape and 12 counts of indecent assault and battery on an intellectually disabled person. James A. Merritt of 12 West St. was indicted Friday by a grand jury in Brockton Superior Court. --- The Patriot Ledger --- March 28, 2013 (MASSACHUSETTS) http://is.gd/24bpSr

Bus Driver Charged with Assault for Kicking Special Needs Student

A former school bus driver faces an aggravated child abuse charge for kicking an 8-year-old special needs student down the stairs of the school bus, according to the state Attorney's Office. --- Patch.com --- March 26, 2013 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/iRUiKm

Teacher Accused of Abusing Special Needs Students

Melanie Jo Fox, 44, an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher in Clearwater is accused of kicking and pulling a 6-year-old girl's hair, hitting he rwith a book and binding her hands with tape, according to cops, reports Bay News 9 in St. Petersburg. --- Sun-Sentinel --- March 23, 2013 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/HRkOmx

Care Home Owner, Workers Accused of Restraining Mentally-challenged Patient

A Powder Springs residential care owner and three employees are charged with tying up a mentally-challenged man then forcing him to wear a diaper while restrained to a bed. --- WSB Atlanta --- March 25, 2013 (GEORGIA) http://is.gd/TgGV0R

Ex-Montgomery Developmental Center Administrator Pleads Guilty to Stealing $429,000

Carter was the business administrator from August 2009 to March 2012 at the state-owned Montgomery Developmental Center, operated by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. --- Dayton Daily News --- April 11, 2013 (OHIO) http://is.gd/iH4p2A

Judge OKs Deal to Aid Deaf, Intellectually Disabled Clients of State Human Services System

It also will require DPW to pay $450,000 to the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, which filed suit in 2010 on behalf of a disabled client identified only ... --- PennLive.com --- April 12, 2013 (PENNSYLVANIA) http://is.gd/3fJuXn

Marietta Pair Accused of Abusing Special Needs Child

A 2-year-old special needs child was abused so bad last month that he has recurring seizures and may have permanent neurological damage. The man who allegedly hit the boy and the woman who failed to get him medical treatment in a timely manner were ... --- Patch.com --- April 8, 2013 (GEORGIA) http://is.gd/iHBrjR

Multiple Autistic Children Abused by Special Needs Teacher

Multiple autistic children were abused by a special needs teacher, according to a lawsuit filed by their parents. Theresa Allen-Caulboy is accused of physically and mentally abusing several elementary age students in her care. --- The Inquisitr --- April 8, 2013 (CALIFORNIA) http://is.gd/mUxbOJ

Essex Dispatcher Charged With Fraud, Identity Theft & Taking Advantage of a Vulnerable Adult

An overnight emergency dispatcher for the Essex Police Department is being charged with identity theft, fraud and taking advantage of a vulnerable adult. VERMONT (Georgia), Fox 44 ABC 22, April 9, 2013

Caretaker Accused of Abusing Autistic Man Appears in Court

A man accused of severely beating an autistic patient appeared in court on Monday morning to begin trial. He was allegedly caught on tape beating the 23-year-old autistic man under his care. The suspect has pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges of abuse and his bail is currently set at $200,000. CALIFORNIA (San Diego), NBC San Diego, April 8, 2013

Easley woman faces physical abuse of vulnerable adult charge

A 58-year-old Easley woman faces charges in connection with alleged abuse of a vulnerable adult, according to warrants. The suspect faces a charge of physical abuse of a vulnerable adult and a charge of failure to report abuse of vulnerable adult. SOUTH CAROLINA (Easley), Greenville Online, April 8, 2013

Man Gets 8 Year Prison Sentence for Sexually Assaulting Developmentally Disabled Woman

A northwest suburban St. Charles man was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday for sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled woman in June 2012. Gary Kluber, 67, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal sexual assault for forcibly fondling ... --- Chicago Sun-Times --- April 3, 2013 (ILLINOIS) http://is.gd/v4jIeZ

Schools Named in Lawsuit Claiming Down Syndrome Child Sexually Assaulted

Parents of a child with Down syndrome claim a former Darien Schools employee sexually assaulted their 14-year-old son and also claim another employee physically abused him while he was at Tokeneke School in 2009. --- Darien Times --- April 5, 2013 (CONNECTICUT) http://is.gd/2I0Fv6

Video: School Bus Aide Said to Have 'Stalked and Harassed Disabled Boy, 5, on Daily Basis'

A Florida school bus aide harassed and intimidated a disabled five-year-old boy on a daily basis, police have said. Daneta McPherson, 37, allegedly threatened, grabbed, screamed at and humiliated ... --- New York Daily News --- April 2, 2013 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/pu6B8E

Atlanta Mom Charged with Starving To Death Her 43-Pound Disabled Teen Daughter

Berry's mentally disabled 16-year-old daughter, Markea Blakely-Berry, weighed a mere forty-three pounds at the time of her death and was extremely malnourished ... --- News One --- April 4, 2013 (GEORGIA) http://is.gd/ap8XIF

$100,000 Bond Set for Augusta Woman Accused of Murder in Disabled Son's Death

A judge set a $100,000 bond Wednesday for a Hephzibah woman facing a murder charge in the death of her severely disabled son. Angela Mercer, 43, was initially charged with concealing a death after Richmond County sheriff deputies found the mummified ... --- The Augusta Chronicle --- April 3, 2013 (GEORGIA) http://is.gd/vIkKeq

Man gets 8 year prison sentence for sexually assaulting developmentally disabled woman

A northwest suburban St. Charles man was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday for sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled woman in June 2012. Gary Kluber, 67, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal sexual assault for forcibly fondling and performing an unwanted sex act. According to prosecutors, the 35-year-old victim functions at the level of an 8-year-old child. ILLINOIS (St. Charles), April 3, 2013

The Arc of Aurora

1342 South Chambers Road

Aurora, CO 80017

720.213.1420