Vulnerability Trail News

Vulnerability Trail Update Vol./Year 5, No. 5 May, 2013

Issues Related to Crime Victimization and People with Developmental Disabilities

In This Issue

Opportunities

Resources

Articles

Quick Links

April 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.

Happy May! (or May-hem, as I've taken to calling it.) Isn't this month reminiscent of December with holidays (Mother's Day, Memorial Day), family events (Mother's Day, graduations) and transitions (from the school year to summer)?! The older I get, the more that truly seems the case. And our Denver weather early this month was downright December-y: snow (which is not unusual) and 19 degree temps (which WERE unusual)!

At the Forensic Investigations Conference in Kansas City last week, Russell Strand gave a great closing presentation whose message was, "In order to care for others, we must first care for ourselves." And what a great reminder spring is of that message! May-hem reminds us about what truly matters: the people in our lives and our need to slow down and enjoy them. Take time to care for yourself so your passion, commitment and expertise may benefit those who need you. Try to enjoy -- and maybe even relish -- May-hem!

Amidst May-hem, we continue to work to finalize the agenda for our October 10-11 Balancing the Scales of Justice for Children and Adults with Disabilities Conference here in the Denver area... Do keep posted!

May-hem-ly yours, Jean

Jean Solis

VTrail Update editor

The Arc of Aurora (CO)

Opportunities

Emerging Scholars: NIJ seeks applicants for the W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship for Research in Race, Gender, Culture, and Crime

The fellowship supports research on crime, justice, and culture in various social contexts with particular emphasis on diverse cultural and community factors. The Fellowship Program offers talented researchers, who are early on in their academic careers, prior to the award of tenure, an opportunity to elevate independently generated research to the level of national discussion. Residency at NIJ is not a fellowship program requirement; however it is an option for interested applicants. Scholars from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply. Learn more about the W.E.B. DuBois Fellowship Program.

Dates Released for National Crime Victims' Rights' Week 2014

Each April, the Office for Victims of Crime helps lead communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims' Rights' Week (NCVRW) by promoting victims' rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. In 2014, NCVRW will be observed April 6-12.

Conference To Address Advocacy Leadership

On June 2-5, 2013, in Washington, DC, the National Children's Alliance will host its annual leadership conference. The conference theme is On the Horizon: The Next Chapter in Child Advocacy. Experts will lead sessions designed to assist children's advocacy center professionals. Topics include creating trauma-informed child-serving systems, screening for and assessing trauma, developing effective advocacy programs, fundraising, and more.

Forensic Science Training Available for Legal Professionals

West Virginia University, with support from the National Institute of Justice, is offering Basic Crime Scene Investigation for Legal Professionals. This course will give legal professionals an opportunity to practice the skills necessary to properly recognize, document, collect, and preserve evidence. It will be held July 29 to August 1, 2013, in Morgantown, West Virginia.

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Resources

Defending Childhood Task Force Report Available

Print copies of Report of the Attorney General's National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence are now available. The Attorney General commissioned this report as part of the Defending Childhood Initiative. It details the recommendations of the National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence and is a blueprint for reducing the impact of trauma on children who witness or experience violence.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) are collaborating to host a webinar series with the goals of 1) improving coordination of federal resources available to assist people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias and their family caregivers and 2) encouraging awareness of research participation opportunities.

Webinar # 2 - People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Dementia -- Tuesday, June 25, 1:30-3pm ET

Alzheimer's disease occurs three to five times more often among people with Down syndrome than the general population. People with intellectual or developmental disabilities and dementia may face unique challenges, as well as experiences similar to others with dementia. This session will cover:

1. Overview of the scale and scope of issues

2. Research directions and opportunities, including recruitment

3. Specialized resources available

Register for the online event by entering your information and clicking "Submit". Once the host approves your registration, you will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event.

News from the National Institute of (NIJ) Justice: Sexual Assault Kit Backlogs -- What Exactly Are the Issues?

Find out some of the real, underlying issues behind why so many sexual assault kits go untested in this highly readable article by the National Institute of Justice's Nancy Ritter. Should we test every kit, even ones that are 25 years old? Or should we prioritize them? How do we decide? What about cases in which the alleged perpetrator is already known? Is there value in testing those? In her straightforward, plain-talking style, Ritter explores some of the consequences of how we answer these questions. She explains where the weak spots are in collecting, storing, and testing kits; why the police might not send sexual assault kits to be tested; and what early evidence is showing about complex issues such as victim notification. Everyone concerned about untested sexual assault kits should read this excellent overview of the issues. Untested Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases by Nancy Ritter first appeared in Sexual Assault Report, a publication of the Civic Research Institute, which has recently made it available to the public.

Articles

Former Wellford police officer charged with sexually abusing vulnerable adult

A former Wellford police officer has been charged with sexually assaulting a vulnerable adult while on duty. The State Law Enforcement Division has charged the 32-year-old suspect of Spartanburg with misconduct in office, third-degree criminal sexual conduct and abuse of a vulnerable adult. SOUTH CAROLINA (Spartanburg), The Republic, May 15, 2013

New York Attorney General A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictment Of Aides Who Photographed Nursing Home Residents

SUFFOLK, N.Y. -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a 15-count indictment charging two certified nurse aides (CNAs) with photographing eleven nursing home residents at three separate facilities, one of whom is also charged with texting one of the photographs to a friend. The pictures were taken without the knowledge or consent of the victims, many of whom were incapable of consenting and depicted bedsores and other disturbing images. Defendants David Rover and Thomas Mocera have each been charged with felony Unlawful Surveillance counts, among other charges, and face up to 4 years in prison. May 15, 2013

http://www.thecrimereport.org/news/articles/2013-04-shamed-into-silence

Justices allow lawsuit against Iowa disabled home

A woman who claims she was fired in 2006 from an Iowa home for the disabled after complaining about abuse of residents can have her day in court, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday. IOWA (Des Moines), San Francisco Gate, May 10, 2013

Attorneys: Landmark $240M verdict for mentally disabled workers to be cut to $1.6M

A landmark $240 million verdict awarded to 32 mentally disabled Iowa plant workers who were subjected to years of abuse by their handlers will be reduced to just $1.6 million because of a federal cap, attorneys in the case agree. IOWA (Iowa City), Washington Post, May 13, 2013

Former Wall School Official Pleads Not Guilty to Failing to Report Sex Assault ...

The former Wall assistant school superintendent has been charged with failing to report to police allegations that a teacher sexually assaulted a 4-year-old special needs student, then lied to police when they questioned her about it. --- Asbury Park Press --- May 7, 2013 (NEW JERSEY) http://is.gd/rXNQfs

Teen Accused of Raping Mentally Disabled Child

David Wayne Talbert faces two counts of rape of a mentally disabled person, two counts of statutory sexual assault of someone 4 to 8 years old, two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of aggravated indecent assault, two counts of ... --- New Castle News --- May 6, 2013 (PENNSYLVANIA) http://is.gd/eXwMVq

Disabled woman found in deplorable conditions

A 25-year-old disabled woman was found in unspeakable conditions, as she was covered in fecal matter and appeared to be "trained" to eat the fecal matter from her hands. The mother of the 25-year-old disabled woman helped emergency responders load the woman to be taken to the emergency room by ambulance. TEXAS (Wichita Falls), Times Record News, May 3, 2013

Bus Driver Accused of Attacking Special-needs Kindergartener

A school bus driver was freed on bond after being arrested on charges she assaulted a 5-year-old special-needs student, KHOU reported on Tuesday. --- Houston Chronicle --- April 30, 2013 (TEXAS) http://is.gd/XnIvuz

Shamed into Silence

Silence both sheltered and shamed Erin Esposito when she endured sexual abuse that lasted for much of her childhood. From the age of three until she was a teenager, said Esposito, who was born deaf, her father and two brothers abused her. Confused and scared, she said nothing until her adult life unraveled in a haze of drugs and alcohol. Part of her recovery has been to recount her experiences. "I can't change my past, but I decided and committed myself to make this world a better place so other deaf children...

Charge: Library janitor molested disabled man

A janitor at the Vashon Island library has been charged with sexual assault, accused of groping a developmentally disabled man after luring him inside the building. WASHINGTON (King County), Seattle PI, April 25, 2013

State Orders Hillandale Assisted Living Facility to Shut Down

The state has revoked the license of an assisted living facility that had been cited for failing to protect its residents, who are young and mentally disabled. --- Tampabay.com --- April 24, 2013 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/icX2OB

Disabled Men Shed Tears when Telling of Abuse at Atalissac Bunkhouse, Trial ...

Some of the mentally disabled men who spent decades working for Henry's Turkey Service broke down in tears when asked to detail the physical abuse they allegedly suffered at the hands of ... --- DesMoinesRegister.com --- April 26, 2013 (IOWA) http://is.gd/ZOFzaZ

Following Restraint Death, Groups Seek Probe

Disability advocates are calling for the Justice Department to investigate the death of a man with Down syndrome who was restrained after refusing to leave a movie theater. Representatives from three Down syndrome advocacy organizations as well as Patti and Ron Saylor, the parents of the man who died, met with officials from the U.S. Department of Justice this week to ask for an independent investigation into the case. Robert Ethan Saylor, 26, went to see the movie "Zero Dark Thirty" at a Frederick, Md. theater in January. When the film ended, he did not want to leave...

Lacking Speech, Boy Uses Stick Figures To Report Abuse

Facing mistreatment in his special education classroom, a 7-year-old boy who is nonverbal turned to stick-figure drawings to alert his parents. Luis Murillo said his son, who has autism, often came home from his Chicago school with bruises but teachers always attributed the injuries to fights among children. The boy had a different story to tell, however, making drawings of scared kids next to three angry-looking women - all depicted as stick figures - beside words like "no" and "help." Now the boy's special education teacher has been removed...

Federal court clears way for execution of mentally disabled Georgia man

A federal appeals court that had blocked the scheduled February execution of a Georgia man whose lawyers say is mentally disabled has lifted its stay, clearing the way for a new execution date. GEORGIA (Atlanta), The Guardian, April 24, 2013

DHS: Disabled Henry's workers berated, harmed daily

Testimony at the Henry's Turkey Service federal trial Wednesday offered a description of dark, filthy and violent living conditions experienced by 32 disabled workers over two years at a rural Iowa bunkhouse. IOWA (Atalissa), Quad-City Times, April 24, 2013

Witness: Disabled workers physically abused

At least 11 of the mentally disabled employees of Henry's Turkey Service were subjected to physical abuse, mostly at the hands of two of the "caretakers" who ran the Atalissa bunkhouse where the men were housed, a state social worker testified Wednesday. IOWA (Davenport), Press-Citizen, April 24, 2013

The Arc of Aurora

1342 South Chambers Road

Aurora, CO 80017

720.213.1420