Wow... Time Has Flown!

I can not believe that there are only 8 days left until the 12th Annual Sarah's House Gala on Saturday November 5th! The planning has been amazing and the night will be nothing short of spectacular. Make sure you have bought your tickets. Go online to www.SarahsHouseAz.org or call (928)757-8103 or (520) 831-3209. I am so excited to see everyone in their beautiful attire for this exciting evening! See you there!

The Gala Is Near...

And magic is in the air! Do not miss out on this one of a kinf evening with dinner, dancing and amazing prizes! Buy your tickets NOW , before they sell out! http://www.sarahshouseaz.org/ or (928) 757-8103 x "0"... don;t wait , tickets are selling fast!

Kingman Daily Miner Article By Erin Taylor

Erin Taylor
Miner Staff Reporter

KINGMAN - Sarah's House is gearing up for its 12th annual fundraising gala next month.

The formal night of dinner and dancing will be held at the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin on Nov. 5

Only 400 tickets are available and they're going like wildfire, according to Jennette Fisher, Public Relations Coordinator for Sarah's House.

"It's going to be a very elegant and amazing evening," she said. "This is the fundraiser to be at."

Last year's gala raised more than $50,000. Sarah's House is dependent on donations, grants and fundraisers to pay all of their operating costs and the gala is the biggest of those efforts.

The child and family advocacy non-profit center specializes in dealing with victims of sexual and physical abuse and provides a compassionate and safe environment for medical examinations and law enforcement interviews. Sarah's House serves all of Mohave County except for Lake Havasu City, which has its own similar facility.

Fisher said Sarah's House recently served its 4,000th victim since opening in 2000. All clients are served free of charged.

Tickets are $100 per person. Corporate tables are available for $1,500 and include 10 tickets as well as sponsorship of the event. To buy tickets, go online to www.SarahsHouseAz.org or call (928) 757-8103 and press "0".

What Should I Do?

• Find a safe environment — anywhere away from the attacker. Ask a trusted friend to stay with you for moral support.
• Know that what happened was not your fault and that now you should do what is best for you.
• Report the attack to police by calling 911. A counselor on the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE can help you understand the process.
  • Preserve evidence of the attack - don't bathe or brush your teeth.
  • Write down all the details you can recall about the attack & the attacker.
  • Ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam to preserve forensic evidence.
  • If you suspect you were drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected. The sample will need to be analyzed later on by a forensic lab.
  • Ask to be taken to Sarah's House Child & Family Advocacy Center
• If you know that you will never report, still consider:
  • Get medical attention. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STDs and pregnancy.
  • Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, for free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day: 1.800.656.HOPE.
• Recognize that healing from rape takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
• Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the attack happened years ago, the National Sexual Assault Hotline or the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline can still help. Many victims do not realize they need help until months or years later.

Get You Gala Tickets Today

Less than 6 weeks to our Annual Gala Fundraiser! Time is flying buy and the tickets are selling fast so don't wait to buy yours! Go online to: http://sarahshouseaz.org/Events.html and buy yours now! Do not miss out on this one of a kind evening to support Sarah's House!

Vice President Joe Bidan Speaks Out

In an exciting move, Vice President Joe Biden kicked off Sexual Assault Awareness Month by clarifying and correcting the existing guidelines for universities receiving Title IX funding on how to address issues of sexual assault. These guidelines are not new, but an official reminder of their existence is important, especially since Yale is currently being investigated for violating them.
“Students across the country deserve the safest possible environment in which to learn,” said Vice President Biden. “That’s why we’re taking new steps to help our nation’s schools, universities and colleges end the cycle of sexual violence on campus.”
Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, also appeared with Biden at the University of New Hampshire, where they presented the guidelines. If you’re interested in watching the whole speech, it’s available on Youtube. The gist, though, is that the school has a responsibility to internally investigate sexual assault allegations, even if criminal charges haven’t been filed and needs an employee whose job it is to make sure that the university is complying with Title IX. The report, which takes the form of a letter, also highlights schools’ responsibilities to prevent the “hostile environment” created by rape:
“If a school knows or reasonably should know about student-on-student harassment that creates a hostile environment,” the letter reads, “Title IX requires the school to take immediate action to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence and address its effects.”
The report also cites disturbing statistics from a 2007 Justice Department report, which claimed that 1 in 5 college women and 1 in 16 college men are victims or attempted or actual sexual assault.
As a college student, it’s really heartening to see the vice president stepping up to address these issues, which are often not handled effectively or openly by universities. These institutions are usually more concerned with protecting their image (which involves denying that sexual assault occurs) than they are in seeking justice for the survivors of sexual assault. I’ve written in the past year about two sexual assault cases at Notre Dame which show just how damaging a school’s insensitivity to these issues can be. It’s great to know that Biden is stepping up to make sure that these guidelines are enforced, and that he is willing to publicly acknowledge that universities need to do much, much more to make sure that sexual assault is correctly addressed on their campuses.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/joe-biden-issues-new-sexual-assault-guidelines-for-public-universities.html#ixzz1Yn2iZKjj

Long Term Effects of Sexual Assault-Day 4

There are many emotional and psychological reactions that victims of rape and sexual assault can experience. One of the most common of these is depression.
The term "depression" can be confusing since many of the symptoms are experienced by people as normal reactions to events in their life. At some point or another during one's life, everyone feels sad or "blue." This also means that recognizing depression can be difficult since the symptoms can easily be attributed to other causes. These feelings are perfectly normal, especially during difficult times.
Depression becomes something more than just normal feelings of sadness when the symptoms last for more than two weeks. Therefore, if you experience five or more of the symptoms of depression over the course of two weeks you should consider talking to your doctor about what you are experiencing.

The symptoms for depression include:

• Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
• Change in appetite with significant weight loss (without dieting) or weight gain
• Loss of energy or persistent fatigue or lethargy
• Significant change in sleep patterns (insomnia, sleeping too much, fitful sleep, etc.)
• Loss of interest and pleasure in activities previously enjoyed, social withdrawal.
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or inappropriate guilt
• Pessimism or indifference
• Unexplained aches and pains (headaches, stomachaches)
• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
• Irritability, worry, anger, agitation, or anxiety
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can affect anyone of any age, gender, race, ethnicity, or religion. Depression is not a sign of weakness, and it is not something that someone can make him/herself "snap out of."

---

Reference:

American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Text Revision, fourth edition, 2000

Long Term Effects of Sexual Assault-Day 3

Deliberate self-harm, or self-injury, is when a person inflicts physical harm on himself or herself, usually in secret. Some victims of sexual assault may use self-harm to cope with the difficult or painful feelings, but it is only a temporary relief, not a healthy way to deal with the trauma of sexual assault. Self-harm can cause permanent damage to the body, as well as additional psychological problems that hinder the healing process, such as guilt, depression, low self-esteem or self-hatred, along with a tendency toward isolation.¹
Note: Deliberate self-harm is not necessarily inflicted with suicidal intent, and engaging in self-harm does not necessarily mean that someone wants to die.
Those who inflict harm on themselves may believe it “helps” them cope with their experiences and their emotions. For sexual assault victims, self injury may:¹

• Provide a way to express difficult or hidden feelings.
  • It’s common for victims to feel numb or empty as a result of sexual assault.
  • Engaging in self-harm may provide a temporary sense of feeling again, as well as a way to express anger, sadness, grief or emotional pain.
• Provide a way of communicating to others that support is needed.
• Provide a distraction from emotional pain.
• Provide self-punishment for what they believe they deserve.
• Provide proof that they are not invisible.
• Provide a feeling of control: It’s not uncommon to feel that self-harm is the only way to have a sense of control over life, feelings, body, especially if other things in life are out of control.

Some common methods of self-harm include:¹

• Cutting
• Burning
• Biting
• Hitting the body
• Pulling out hair
• Scratching and picking at sores on skin
• Eating Disorders
• Substance Abuse

Friends and family of sexual assault victims may be among the first to recognize the signs of self-injury. It may be helpful for a survivor to share their experiences and concerns with a qualified service provider who can help him or her find a healthier, positive alternative to alleviate the pain from sexual assault, such as a counselor or psychologist.¹

• It may be helpful for the survivor to have the help and support of a loved one while finding a counselor.
• If the survivor feels that talking with someone is too overwhelming, you can urge him or her to write down the problem.

Following are alternatives to self-harm that may help the survivor until he or she is able to meet with a professional:¹

• Recognize the choices you have NOW; ask yourself what YOU need.
• Choose to put off self-harm for specific amounts of time until a professional can be contacted (e.g., 15 minute increments).
• Countdown to relaxation (10… 9… 8… 7…); start meditation exercises; pay attention to your breathing and the rhythmic motions of your body.
• Write in a diary or journal.
• Make a list of people you can call for support; connect with others (group, one-on-one).
• Plan something new and exciting to do with friends.
• Take up a craft (needlework, quilting, painting, etc.).
• Play video games, listen to the radio, watch television as a distraction.

It is important to eat well, exercise and be kind to oneself. While not a solution in itself, doing all these things contributes to increased mood stability, and a general better sense of well being that will provide a greater sense of happiness on the inside and outside.¹
If you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or visit the Online Hotline at online.rainn.org.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 911 immediately. If there’s no one in your life that you feel comfortable talking to about your suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK.

Long Term Effects of Sexual Assault- Day 2

Victims of rape or sexual assault may turn to alcohol or other substances in an attempt to relieve their emotional suffering. In the U.S., victims of sexual assault report higher levels of psychological distress and the consumption of alcohol than non-victims, in part, to self-medicate.¹ Some victims use substances to cope with the reality of what happened to them or to cope with the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a common reaction to an extreme situation like sexual assault. However, it is not a healthy way to deal with the trauma of sexual assault and can cause additional problems, such as addiction or dependence, that hinder the healing process.
Survivors of sexual assault or sexual abuse in childhood may abuse drugs to help them “numb out” and push away the painful memories of sexual violence. Victims may also turn to drugs instead of true recovery resources, such as counseling; they may not think that friends or family will understand them, they may not know where to access recovery resources, or they may be embarrassed to talk about what happened.
Friends and family of sexual assault victims may be among the first to recognize the signs of substance abuse. Early recognition increases chances for successful treatment. Warning signs include:²

• Giving up past activities or hobbies
• Spending time with new friends who may be a negative influence
• Declining grades or performance at work
• Aggressiveness, irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Disappearing money or valuables from family and friends
• Lying
• Depression or hopelessness
• Avoiding friends and family
• Drinking and driving or getting in trouble with the law
• Suspension from school or work

When compared to non-victims, rape survivors are 3.4 times more likely to use marijuana, 6 times more likely to use cocaine, and 10 times more likely to use other major drugs.

Following are common substances that some victims use subsequent to sexual assault:²

• Alcohol
  • Alcohol depresses the brain, lessens inhibitions, slurs speech, decreases muscle control and coordination, and may lead to alcoholism.
  • For most adults, moderate alcohol use (which causes few, if any, problems) consists of up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people.³ A strong need or urge to drink past this, or an inability to stop drinking once drinking has begun may be the beginning signs of alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence.³
  • Alcohol is the most common cause of liver failure in the U.S. The drug can cause heart enlargement and cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, and stomach.
  • Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, irregular heartbeat, tremor, seizures, and hallucinations. When combined with malnutrition, it can lead to a life threatening condition called delirium tremens (DTs), literally shaking or trembling.
• Tobacco
  • The primary substance in tobacco cigarettes is nicotine, but smoke contains thousands of other chemicals that are also damaging.
  • Smoking is responsible for nearly a half million deaths each year. Other hazards include heart disease, lung cancer and emphysema, peptic ulcer disease and stroke.
  • Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, hunger, sleep disturbances and depression.
• Marijuana
  • Marijuana (also known as “grass,” “pot,” “weed,” or “herb”) produces an active ingredient called THC, which provides a high level of intoxication. The drug is typically smoked, but it can also be eaten.
  • Common effects of marijuana use include impaired coordination and memory.
  • Its smoke irritates the lungs of users and contains more cancer-causing chemicals than tobacco smoke.
• Cocaine
  • Derived from the coca plant of South America, cocaine can be smoked, injected, snorted or swallowed; the intensity and duration of the drug’s effects depend on which method is used.
  • Cocaine (also known as “crack,” “coke,” “snow,” or “rock”) is said to bring on paranoia, constriction of blood vessels leading to heart damage or stroke, irregular heartbeat, kidney and lung failure, and death.
  • Withdrawal symptoms may include depression and reduced energy.
• Heroin
  • Effects of heroin intoxication may include drowsiness and slowed breathing. Overdose may result in death from decreased breathing. Because heroin is usually injected, often with dirty needles, use of the drug can trigger other health complications including destruction of heart valves, HIV/AIDS, infections, tetanus, and botulism.
  • Withdrawal symptoms can be intense and can include vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, confusion, aches and sweating.
• Methamphetamines
  • Methamphetamine (also known as “meth,” “crank,” “ice,” “speed,” or “crystal”) is a powerful stimulant that may decrease appetite. It can be snorted, injected, smoked or eaten.
  • Much like cocaine, “meth” may cause heart attacks, dangerously high blood pressure and strokes.
  • Withdrawal symptoms include depression, abdominal cramps, and increased appetite. Other long-term effects include paranoia, hallucinations, weight loss, destruction of teeth and heart damage.

Finding Treatment

Most substance abusers believe they can stop using drugs on their own, but many who try do not succeed. Research shows that long-term drug use alters brain function and strengthens compulsions to use drugs. This craving continues even after the drug use stops. Because of these ongoing cravings, the most important component of treatment is preventing relapse.²
It may be helpful for a survivor to share their experiences and concerns with a qualified service provider (i.e. counselor or psychologist).⁴ A general physician can suggest community resources as well as prescribe medications to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms while the user seeks further help.
If you feel you are suffering from substance abuse:

• Reach out to a trusted friend or family member and ask for help.
• Contact the free Substance Abuse Treatment Referral Helpline.
  • 1.800.662.HELP(4357)
• Contact your doctor.
  • Contact your doctor immediately if you are suffering from a cough that won’t go away, fever, continuing feelings of depression, jaundice, mild tremors, leg swelling or increased abdominal girth.
• Call 911 or go to a hospital’s emergency department immediately if you are suffering from severe abdominal pain, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, severe tremors, numbness, or suicidal thoughts.

If you know or suspect someone you love is suffering from substance abuse:²

• Contact the free Substance Abuse Treatment Referral Helpline for support and advice on helping your loved one.
  • 1.800.662.HELP (4357)
• Do not “cover up” for your loved one. It is important that he or she get the help that they deserve.
• Choose a time to speak with your loved one when he or she is sober, when both of you are fairly calm, and when you have a chance to talk in private. It is also best to speak to your loved one shortly after a substance-related problem has occurred (like a serious family argument or accident).
• Gather information in advance about treatment options in your community. If the person is willing to get help, call right away for an appointment, and offer to go with him or her for support.

Long Term Effects Of Sexual Assault, Day One

Each day we will post another side effect of sexual assault. Here is the first one:

After a traumatic event, it is typical to have feelings of anxiety, stress, or fear, making it difficult to adjust or cope for some time afterwards. In particular, survivors of sexual violence may experience severe feelings of anxiety, stress, or fear, known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While it is natural to have some of these symptoms after a traumatic event, if they last more than a few weeks and become an ongoing problem, it might be PTSD. If left untreated, the symptoms of PTSD can grow worse and last for months or even years.ⁱ
Symptoms
As classified by the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into three main categoriesⁱⁱ:

• Re-Experiencing
  This is a repeated reliving of the event, and interferes with daily activity. This category includes flashbacks, frightening thoughts, recurrent memories or dreams, and physical reactions to situations that remind you of the event.
• Avoidance
  These symptoms stem from the desire of a person to change their routine to escape similar situations to the trauma. Victims might avoid places, events, or objects that remind them of the experience. Emotions related to avoidance are numbness, guilt, and depression. Some have a decreased ability to feel certain emotions, like happiness. They also might be unable to remember major parts of the trauma, and feel that their future offers less possibilities than other people have.
• Hyper-arousal
  Hyper-arousal symptoms are all physiological. They include difficulty concentrating or falling asleep; being easily startled; feeling tense, and ‘on edge’; and angry outbursts. These can sum up to make it difficult for victims of PTSD to complete normal daily tasks.

Children and teens may experience different symptoms from adults, which may includeⁱⁱⁱ:

• Bedwetting
• Inability to talk
• Acting out the assault during playtime
• Being unusually clingy with a parent or other trusted adult

Diagnosis is best left in the hands of a medical professional^iv. Coming to a conclusion of PTSD usually occurs because of the presence of the symptoms listed above, the duration of those symptoms, as well as psychiatric and physical testing to rule out other diagnoses.
Treatment
Getting treatment as soon as possible after PTSD symptoms develop maybe prevent the disorder from becoming a long-term condition. It is important to be treated by a medical professional with knowledge of PTSD.
There are a range of treatment options for patients suffering from PTSD. Everyone is different, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another. The type of therapy that may be best for a patient depends on a number of factors that s/he and the health care professional can discuss. Experts at the Mayo Clinic, outline the following treatments for PTSD, which may be used in combination^v:

• Cognitive therapy
  This form of “talk therapy” helps patients to identify and change self-destructive thought patterns.
• Cognitive behavior therapy
  CBT combines cognitive and behavioral therapy to help patients identify unhealthy beliefs/behaviors, and replace them with positive ones.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  EMDR combines exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movement that help patients process traumatic memories.
• Exposure therapy
  This form of behavioral therapy helps patients safely confront the memories or things that are upsetting or distributing, so that they can learn to cope effectively.
• Medications:
  Several types of medications can help symptoms of PTSD such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, concentration.
• Support Groups

In addition to receiving professional help, it’s important for persons with PTSD to take good care of themselves:

• Sleep between 6-7 hours every night; try to go to bed at the same time every night
• Eat a balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid making situations that could cause anxiety, anger or irritability
• Avoid alcohol, illegal drugs and medication not prescribed

For Additional Help
If you know or suspect someone is suffering from PTSD:

• Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
• Learn about PTSD, including available recovery resources and treatments.
• Remember that with time and treatment, victims of PTSD can see improved symptoms and effective management of the disorder.

Be A Voice

Aubry Ballard's Website

This site is awesome. http://www.aubryballard.com

Bring Domestic Violence Into The Light

Wow!

Did you know that EVERY 2 minutes there is a sexual assault in the U.S
213,000 assaults per year

2/3 of rape victims know their assailant.

60% of these rapes go unreported.

This must change. Sarah's house is a free service to ALL victims. Sarah's House is a safe and comfortable environment where victims do not have to be repeatedly traumatized. We do forensic evidence collection, videotaped interviews by law enforcement or other agencies and referrals to a safe haven. Our special trained S.A.N.E (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) nurses then testify in court to bring the offender to justice.

We also have victim advocates who work with the victim to get the services the victim needs to start the healing process. Together we can make these numbers drop! Together as a community, we can do anything!

Help us keep our doors open. Make a donation online at www.sarahshouseaz.org, buy tickets for the Gala online or volunteer your time. We need your support!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!!!! If you want happiness for an hour- take a nap.. If you want happiness for a day- go fishing.. If you want happiness for a month- get married... If you want happiness for a year- inherit a fortune.. If you want happiness for a lifetime - help others!!

Nation Rainn Day

RAINN Day is RAINN’s annual campaign to raise awareness and educate students against sexual violence on college campuses. RAINN DAY is a grassroots program designed to empower college students to raise awareness of sexual violence and recovery resources on their campus. Each year, RAINN Day reaches over 1 million students! RAINN Day 2011 is Thursday, September 22nd!
Sign-up today to create an event that is as unique as you are! RAINN DAY organizers will receive the complete RAINN DAY event planning and promotion guides and have a chance to be profiled by RAINN and featured on Cosmopolitan magazine's website!
RAINN DAY organizers can motivate their campus to take a stand against sexual violence. Events can be tailored to fit your campus, personal style and work for any sized group or campus. Organizers can make a different on their campus through visibility and educational events, fundraisers, and peer empowerment activities.
You have the power to change a life!

Talking To Your Child About Sexual Abuse

Parents are surrounded by messages about child sexual abuse. Talkshows and TV news warn parents about dangers on the Internet, at school and at home. However, parents don’t get much advice on how to talk to their children if they are concerned that sexual abuse is occurring.
Talk to your child directly.

• Pick your time and place carefully!
• Have this conversation somewhere that your child feels comfortable.
• DO NOT ask your child about child abuse in front of the person you think may be abusing the child!
• Ask if anyone has been touching them in ways that don’t feel okay or that make them feel uncomfortable.
• Know that sexual abuse can feel good to the victim, so asking your child if someone is hurting them may not get the information that you are looking for.
• Follow up on whatever made you concerned. If there was something your child said or did that made you concerned, ask about that.
• Ask in a nonjudgmental way, and take care to avoid shaming your child as you ask questions.
• ”I” questions can be very helpful. Rather than beginning your conversation by saying “You (the child) did something/said something that made me worry…” consider starting your inquiry with the word “I.” For example: “I am concerned because I heard you say that you are not allowed to close the bathroom door.”
• Make sure that your child knows that they are not in trouble, and that you are simply trying to gather more information.
• Talk with your child about secrets.
• Sometimes abusers will tell children that sexual abuse is a secret just between them. They may ask the child to promise to keep it secret.
• When you talk to your child, talk about times that it’s okay not to keep a secret, even if they made a promise.

Build a trusting relationship with your child.

• Let your child know that it is okay to come to you if someone is making them uncomfortable.
• Be sure to follow up on any promises you make—if you tell your child that they can talk to you, be sure to make time for them when they do come to you!
• All children should know that it’s okay to say “no” to touches that make them uncomfortable or if someone is touching them in ways that make them uncomfortable and that they should tell a trusted adult as soon as possible.
• Let your child know that you won’t get angry at them if they tell someone “no.” Children are often afraid that they will get into trouble if they tell someone not to touch them.
• Teach children that some parts of their body are private.
• Tell children that if someone tries to touch those private areas or wants to look at them, OR if someone tries to show the child their own private parts, they should tell a trusted adult as soon as possible.
• Let children know that they will not be in trouble if they tell you about inappropriate touching.
• Make sure to follow through on this if your child does tell you about inappropriate touching! Try not to react with anger towards the child.

For more information visit http://www.sarahshouseaz.com/ or http://www.rainn.org/.

Annual Gala & Auction!

Sarah's House is excited to announce its Annual Black Tie Gala & Auction. This event will be held on November 5, 2011 at The Aquarius Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. (PST) for cocktail hour, dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. (PST) with dancing until midnight.

As a not for profit organization, this event is Sarah's House Child & Family Advocacy Center's largest fundraiser of the year. This is a great event to help raise money for a wonderful charity while networking with many of Arizona's most prominent business owners, politicians and personalities. You can enjoy a night of dinner, dancing, a large collection of raffle items, as well as a live auction to top off a fantastic evening.

Tickets are available now. Tickets are $100.00 per person, $1,500.00 for a Corporate Table or $2,000.00 for a Corporate Elite table with a prominent dignitary. Room packages are available for purchase. This is a highly attended event and tickets will sell out quickly so buy yours now to guarantee yourself a fantastic evening of glitz and fun in Laughlin!

For more information on tickets or Corporate tables, please contact:

Jennette Fisher
Sarah's House Child & Family Advocacy Center
Public Relations Coordinator
(520)831.3209
jfisher@sarahshouseaz.org

See you all in Laughlin!

Thought for the night....

I read this a few minutes ago and it brought tears to my eyes.

Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime.
--Herbert Ward

If we could just reposition one child's shadow a day this world would be a much different place!

Good night and remember to kiss your kids!!

Join Sarah's Houses' Social Media Pages

Follow us on Twitter @SarahsHouseAz or like us on Facebook: SarahsHouseAz.facebook.com

Atmosphere "The Last To Say" Music Video Hits MTV!

Atmosphere, a well know rap group, brings a voice to domestic violence by preforming a candid rap about domestic violence called "The Last to Say". MTV has joined the fight by premiering the music video for this song on many of their channels such as MTV2, MTVU and their activist focused channel ACT.
This music video brings the issue of domestic violence out in the open to an age group who often suffer in silence at the hands of a boyfriend or girlfriend in years as early as junior high school. Teen dating violence is on the rise and is most often explained away by the victim as sport related injuries. Finally, a music group has decided enough is enough! This video made me cry when I listened to the words. Each person who stands up to violence, every voice that is heard can make a difference in even just one victims life!

Talking To A Child About Abuse

Children as young as four years old can understand the basic concepts of good touches, bad touches and confusing touches. These young children can also understand the definition of sexual abuse and are not afraid of the words that send a chill up the spines of adults. Use the words "sexual abuse" when talking with your child because if a child is victimized, they need to be able to tell you that they were "sexually abused!" Child protective services social workers will tell you that a child without the language to describe their victimization is a child whose case is weakened in the court system. Remember, you are not putting the responsibility on the child. Instead, you are helping the child to understand the problem and identify safe people who will support them! Many years of experience, teaching thousands of children, have shown that children are not threatened by this information, they embrace it! It is so very evident in the classroom when we teach Good-Touch/Bad-Touch® that children are proud that they are learning how to take care of themselves. Teaching your child about sexual abuse further empowers your child to participate in his/her own body safety! Children need to hear information more than once. Discuss with your child "the problem that some children might have" by introducing the concept of different touches the first day, repeat touching and discuss the five body safety rules (typed in bold below) the second day and review the third day. This way, your child will "own" this information. Repetition allows them to retain what they have learned. A one-time discussion is soon forgotten. Also, repeating your discussions every year will reinforce what they have learned and reintroduces points they may have forgotten. Let's not rule out the possibility that, in the course of your discussion, a child may exclaim: "Hey! That's happened to me!" While a parent can never be fully prepared for such a disclosure, you may want to know how to respond to a child who discloses abuse, before you begin your talk with your child. The outline that follows is a synopsis of key points presented in the highly acclaimed Good-Touch/Bad-Touch body safety education program. This synopsis is offered here to help you discuss this very difficult topic with your children so that they will have the tools they may need to stay safe from sexual abuse. Teach your child that they are "special" and have the right to know everything they can about being safe! Discuss of all the safety rules they have learned and explain that there are some more safety rules to learn. When teaching your child about sexual abuse, talk about 3 different types of touch: good touch, bad touch and sexual abuse touch. "Good touches" are those touches that make us feel happy, safe and loved. Good touches can make us feel warm inside or can make us feel like a smile. Emphasize that most of the touch we get is good touch. Good touches are so important! "Bad touches" are those touches that hurt us; they feel like an ouch. Some examples are kicking, hitting and biting. "Sexual abuse touch" is defined as "forced or tricked touch of private body parts." The key words are forced and tricked. A force is when someone makes you do something you don't want to do or don't understand. A trick is when someone lies to you, fools you, pretends or calls something a game, that really isn't a game, so they can touch your private body parts or have you touch theirs. Explain that sexual abuse is confusing because it doesn't necessarily hurt; the touch can feel good. And that is confusing to children. Use the words "sexual abuse" to eliminate unnecessary confusion. The effort to call sexual abuse by another name (such as inappropriate touch) is counterproductive--leading to more confusion for children. After all, we can be assured that the sexual abuse offender of our children will not call what he/she is doing sexual abuse!!! By giving your child the correct language, you give your child the power! Teach your child that their body is their own and that no one has the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or in a way that they don't like. Teach your child that they have the right to trust their own feelings and to ask questions when they feel uncomfortable or confused by someone's behavior. Talk about times when they may have had an anxious feeling (forgetting homework, losing something, frightened by a loud noise, etc.). Discuss the importance of paying attention to our feelings in situations when we are feeling uncomfortable. Teach your child that they have the right to say "NO!" to sexual abuse. Teach them that they can say "NO!" to anyone who might want to sexually abuse them; even if the offender is an adult; even if the offender is someone they know. Teach your child that it is very important to tell a trusted adult if someone sexually abuses them or hurts them in any way. Teach your child that they can tell another person if they are not believed. Discuss and identify trusted adults in their life. Teach your child that it is okay to break promises they might make about sexual abuse. Children do not have to keep any promise that makes them feel bad inside. Teach your child that if sexual abuse happens to a child, it is NEVER the child's fault. Older children (4th grade and up) may come up with ways in which it could be the child's fault; explain that sexual abuse is against the law and children are not responsible when someone breaks the law and sexually abuses them. Teach your child that a person who sexually abuses a child can be anyone. Most children, even adults, think that offenders are usually strangers. Children need to know that they have the right to say "NO!" and Tell even when the offender is someone they know, like, love or even live with. (In 90% of cases the offender is someone the child knows!) Discuss with your child that telling about sexual abuse can be very difficult, but that the abuse won't stop until they tell someone. An abused child doesn't start to feel better until they tell someone. Let your child know that it is never too late to tell about sexual abuse. Let your child know that if sexual abuse happens to them, they are still a good person, they are still lovable and that you will always love them no matter what!

Sarah's House Child & Family Advocacy Center

Welcome to Sarah's House blog! We are so excited to share so much exciting news about our programs and upcoming events. In future blogs you will learn who Sarah is, How Sarah's House began and why Sarah's House Child & Family Advocacy Center is so important to not just victims but to everyone. Below you will find information about Sarah's House and contact information if you would like more information about services or if you would like to become a volunteer.

Sarah’s House Child and Family Advocacy Center is dedicated to serving children and families who are victims of sexual and physical abuse through prevention, education, and intervention.

It is our goal to provide numerous, quality services, at one central location; this prevents re-victimization of the individual and their family. We treat each person with courtesy, respect, and compassion. This can help the victim feel comfortable, and can assist with prosecution of the case.

We offer 24/7 Crisis Intervention for all sexual assault cases, child molestation, and child abuse.

We also offer rape crisis intervention and support, domestic violence referrals to shelters, and support groups, and information for victims.

Call for details (928) 757-8103 for more information or e-mail info@sarahshouseaz.org to learn how you can help!.