Every year, young people and their loved ones join together across the country in a national effort to raise awareness about the issue of teen dating violence. This annual, month-long push focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts. This year the motto for TDVAM is “Talk About It”. Throughout the month PAVE will be sharing how to keep the conversation going and by doing so, hopefully creating a discussion before it’s too late.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
Sexual assault is a serious and widespread problem. Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 67 men in the US have experienced rape or attempted rape at some time in their lives. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. Sexual abuse includes engaging in sexual activities with a child, indecent exposure, child grooming, or using a child to produce child pornography.
When we talk about prevention, we mean stopping sexual violence before it even has a chance to happen. This means changing the social norms that allow it to exist in the first place, from individual attitudes, values, and behaviors.
Prevention is everyone’s responsibility: All of us can create and promote safe environments. We can intervene to stop concerning behavior; promote and model healthy attitudes and relationships; and believe survivors and assist them in finding resources.
PAVE has many activities planned for April please call us or check out our Facebook page!
Please wear teal April 2, 2019 and show your support for those affected by sexual violence.
This is still a shock to all of us and a tragic lose to our community. Please reach out if you help navigating your situation or help safety planning. The media reached out to us to discuss domestic violence further after a shocking homicide in Beaver Dam. Channel 3000 reached out to us so see more please follow this link:
We all start to prepare for the holiday season, hanging lights and decorating our homes; as it is supposed to be a joyful and peaceful time to many of us. Unfortunately, the holidays can be an even more dangerous time than usual for those at risk for domestic violence.
Some of the reasons the risk of intimate partner violence increases during the holiday season can be caused by the financial stress of buying gifts to an overall increase of alcohol consumption. Family gatherings can be stressful; survivors don’t want to disturb their family cohesiveness on these days. Survivors of abuse don’t want to disturb family rituals or separate children from their family during a holiday, regardless of abuse that may be occurring. Survivors can’t find a private time to make a call for support, however calls will often increase above normal levels the days and weeks following a holiday.
PAVE is available 24/7. There is always a trained advocate here to help with any questions, to safety plan, or provide options counseling. PAVE is here to help victims and survivors through the holiday season.
Teen Group is a safe space for all teens. Please join us at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church after school on Thursdays. We will be doing different activities to learn about healthy relationships and setting boundaries.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. PAVE knows that domestic violence thrives when we are silent. Safety is a human right. We believe everyone deserves a safe space and home should be a place of peace and refuge. No one should have to worry about making it through the day unharmed. Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness in families. In 2017, PAVE provided 4,077 nights of shelter.
PAVE is excited to announce an expansion of services for victims and survivors in Jefferson County launching October 1st! Beginning Monday PAVE will serve Northern Jefferson County with an outreach office located in Watertown, WI. “Our new programs will not only benefit those in Jefferson County, but also those in Dodge County,” Teresa Nienow, PAVE’s Executive Director said “this expansion has been in the works for several months and will allow us to build upon our already established programs for victims and survivors.” New PAVE staff members and programs will be added over the next several months to include: Legal Advocacy, Child & Teen Advocacy, Domestic Violence Services, Sexual Assault Victim Services, Spanish Speaking Services, Outreach & Education for the Community, hotel vouchers for shelter, and material assistance. PAVE looks forward to serving the community and working together to empower those affected by violence. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please call us at 800-775-3785 or text us at 920-344-0123, a trained advocate is waiting for you.
If you would like read more information please follow the link to the news article.
https://www.dailyunion.com/news/agencies-dividing-domestic-abuse-calls/article_9200e3c0-ca82-581f-9679-76294bc75fe8.html
October 1st kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Join us by wearing purple on October 18th. Advocates, survivors and supporters wear purple to stand in solidarity with victims of domestic violence and celebrate domestic violence awareness month. Through these efforts we gain a larger focus to bring awareness to domestic violence in our community! This is a time that highlights a few common themes in Domestic Violence work; supporting and advocating for victims, celebrating successes of survivors, and connecting those in need with services. Domestic Violence is a pattern of many behaviors directed at achieving and maintaining power and control over an intimate partner, such as physical violence, emotional abuse, isolation of victims, economic abuse, intimidation, coercion, and threats. In addition, 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence yearly; and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence. With #SurvivorSpeaks, we hope to support all survivors who choose to come forward.
As the summer winds down, some of us may be looking forward to our teens and young adults going off to college. It can be a hard and exciting time for all involved. What classes will they take, will they get along with their roommate, and will you cry when you leave them to fend for themselves as they spread their wings. One thing you may not think about is, will your teen or young adult be sexually assaulted? This can include rape, sexual assault, sexual contact, or sexual harassment. Sexual violence is one of the most personal and invasive expressions of violence deeply affecting all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, ability levels, socioeconomic statuses, and sexual orientations.
The following tips may reduce your risk for many different types of crimes, including sexual violence:
Safe at home is a statewide address confidentiality program and free forwarding service that provides victims of abuse, stalking, trafficking and those who fear for their physical safety with a legal substitute address to be used for both public and private purposes. This program is developed for victim’s safety to be able to maintain a private confidential home, work and school address to prevent future harm.
You may be eligible from this program if you are any of the following:
Before applying, applicants must first participate in free safety planning with an Application Assistant. If you or someone you know would like to participate in this program please call PAVE and talk to our Legal Advocate.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 561
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone Line:
920-887-3810
PAVE is proud to be a United Way recipient.
