Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, or psychological battering; all of which are devastating. Many times one suffers from more than one of these types of abuse from their partners. The causes of domestic violence have been studied, and typically, abuse escalates and intensifies over time. It has been found that 74% of women who are abused in the home experience continued abuse at their place of work. Abusers can use workplace property to stalk and threaten their victims. Not only is this a dangerous situation for the victim, but it creates a dangerous environment for co-workers with a violent individual wanting to do harm in their midst.

There are things that employers can and should do to help such as sex trafficking of female co-worker.They can have policies in place to help protect victims from abuse, and have specific guidelines allowing co-workers to recognize the signs of abuse to let them know how to help. If resources are made available, someone who may be hesitant to ask for help will know what to do. There are outside help and support groups, and employee assistance programs can be initiated. A domestic violence policy should be a part of an employer’s guidelines to encourage open communication, and to guide supervisors for proper procedures when there is an employee recognized as a victim.

Practical strategies can be implemented to protect sex trafficking victim in the workplace including having a secure work environment, offering schedule flexibility to a victim, or changing their work location. An employer can also be supportive by providing escorts or having a ‘buddy system’ for accompanying individuals to their cars or transportation home. Security personnel or receptionists can be provided with photographs of the abuser to allow screening and protection for the victim. Telephone and e-mail screening, or the changing of phone numbers or e-mail addresses can also help avoid harassment.

The emotional support from an employer is a critical element for a victim because they know that they can get help. In addition, the practical policies at a place of business can look after a victim daily, allowing them every possible chance to maintain their job and be safe while they are at work. The causes of domestic violence may not be prevented, but by providing a safe and accommodating environment for an employee, an employer offers a productive and safe work situation.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor.“Causes of Domestic Violence and its Impact in the Workplace” notes the continued abuse for domestic abuse victims in their place of business, and what employers can do to help.We also provide help against sex trafficking of women and girls and strives for the prevention and awareness of the causes of domestic violence with their programs.
]]> http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/causes-of-domestic-violence-and-its-impact-in-the-workplace/feed/ 0 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/smart-teen-dating-advice-protect-yourself-from-dating-violence/ http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/smart-teen-dating-advice-protect-yourself-from-dating-violence/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:39:41 +0000 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/?p=76 ]]> Dating and relationships are a normal part of growing up for many teenagers, although many teens form their first romantic relationships without any idea of what constitutes “healthy” dating. Because of their naiveté, they are more likely to get caught in a verbal, physical, or sexually abusive relationship. If you or your teen is involved in an “unhealthy” relationship, the following teen dating help may be useful.

Teen dating violence is typically not a one-time incident, but rather an ongoing cycle of abuse that occurs again and again—and can be very difficult to end. Teenage females are more susceptible to violence than any other age group and should take the time to read up on teen dating advice to protect themselves and their friends.

Although generally the patterns and signs of teen dating violence tend to mirror adult abusive relationships, there are some unique issues that teens face. Learn more about those issues in relation to teen dating violence, and learn how to seek help and put an abusive teen relationship to end.

Verbal or emotional abuse involves one person trying to control their partner’s feelings or behaviors. It includes, but is not limited to:

• Name-calling and put-downs
• Yelling and screaming
• Embarrassing the person in front of others
• Intimidation
• Spreading negative rumors about the person
• Preventing the person from seeing their friends or family
• Threatening violence or harm
• Telling the person what to do
• Making racial slurs about the person
• Making the person feel responsible for the abuse/violence

Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to:

• Scratching
• Kicking
• Pushing
• Choking
• Biting
• Slapping
• Shoving
• Pulling hair
• Punching
• Pinching

If you’re experiencing a few or any of these behaviors, don’t hesitate to learn how you can seek help and end an abusive relationship.

Nearly 80% percent of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abusers. Ending a relationship is a difficult and involved process, even in a healthy situation and in a physically abusive relationship, it can sometimes seem impossible. With the support of friends, family, and school, end your unhealthy relationship by learning more information on teen dating violence and discovering good teenage dating advice.

E. Ronchetti is an independent contractor working to market http://www.Soroptimist.org and would like to share their wonderful information on teenage dating and teen dating advice.This and many other resources for teens and parents on teen dating violence can be found on the Soroptimist website.

Why become an Education Major in New York? From Long Island to Lake Ontario, New York State offers a wide range of environments for potential teachers. New York boasts one of the largest and most diverse economies in the United States. An education major in New York can benefit from the slower pace of rural schooling, the exhilaration of city life, or almost anything in between.

Being an Education Major in New York is known for its high standards and positive student results. Education Divisions adhere to the guiding principles and standards set by the New York State Department of Education. Being an Education Major in New York can be immensely rewarding, offering the dedicated professional many opportunities to make a lifelong, positive impact on the lives of children and young people. If this is your chosen career path. Students that enroll to be an Education Major in New York receive an integrated blend of professional course work and field-based opportunities, and can be certified in New York State to teach younger students (pre-kindergarten through sixth grade), or middle/high school students.

An Education Major in New York has vast opportunities for a career placement. With over 730 local school districts—including the largest district in the nation, NYC teaching district—a diversified student body, student-teacher ratio of under 13:1, range of traditional public schools and charter schools, and proximity to top-tier universities, teaching in New York can be a truly rewarding experience for any teacher.

If you are seriously considering a career in education, then choosing to be an Education Major in New York will keep you current on topical educational issues and groundbreaking programs through classes and seminars related to the field of Education in New York.

Linda Dunkelberger is a freelance writer and editor. “Careers in Education in New York” supports being an Education Major in New York. Alfred University offers Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in Education. If you’re looking for a small, personal, student-oriented institution for Education Major in New York, where you’ll make a smooth transition into the working world after graduation, come visit Alfred University (http://www.alfred.edu) to learn more!



Some victims are brave enough to escape the abuse at home, but unfortunately the abuser knows where they work, and are able to harass and threaten her there. In fact, it has been found that 75% of abusers have used communications such as work email or phone calls, or visited the workplace of the victim to further threaten their partner. This is a frightening scenario not just for the victim, but for her fellow employees.

Recognizing signs that someone is being abused could help protect a domestic abuse victim, and lead her to support for her situation. A place of work should be a safe place for an individual and their co-workers, so it is in everyone’s best interest to look for the signs and take steps to be supportive. Warning signs can include social withdrawal from co-workers, visible bruises, emotional outbursts on the phone, or frequent calls which leave them upset. Lateness or frequent absences are common among victims, as well as reduced productivity and poor job performance.

When there are outward physical signs such as bruising, a victim often lies to co-workers out of embarrassment. Co-workers and employers should always be supportive, respectful and encouraging, and hopefully that communicates to the victim that they are willing to help when the victim is ready.

After the recognition or admission of an abusive situation, employers should take reasonable measures to protect their employee. These can include possibly changing their schedule or work location, screening calls and visitors, and escorts to where they have parked. A formal, written workplace policy should be in place which includes information on where to get help outside of the office.

A place of work may be the only safe haven for a victim, and an environment of safety and supportiveness will not only protect them, but make a more productive worker. Employers and co-workers need to be aware of the signs of domestic violence, and take steps to protect all employees from abusive individuals.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Recognizing Domestic Violence Victims in the Workplace” notes the signs which could mean one are being abused. Soroptimist.org is an International women’s organization working to improve the lives of women, including support for women in domestic abuse situations.

]]> http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/recognizing-domestic-violence-victims-in-the-workplace/feed/ 0 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/national-adoption-awareness-month/ http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/national-adoption-awareness-month/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:50:52 +0000 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/?p=68 ]]> November is National Adoption Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the many definitions of family. The U.S. alone is home to more than 1.5 million kids who were adopted. A reported 60 percent of Americans have personal experience with adoption.

The stigma long associated with adoption has lessened in recent years. Adoption is out in the open now, compared to a generation ago when many children weren’t even told they had been adopted (truly hard to imagine). Thanks to all the people who have formed their families through adoption, and celebrities like the Jolie-Pitts, Katherine Heigl and Madonna, much more is said and written about adoption than ever before. Not that it’s been without controversy. Endless comments have centered on the motivations of celebrities who adopt from overseas. Interesting because I don’t see the people making these comments adopting anyone, domestically or otherwise!

Yet, the stigma lingers. And if the child is from another culture, well that just adds another layer of complexity. Just ask my daughter, who was adopted as an infant from China. She suffers regularly from the cruel and racist comments of her schoolmates. Now that she’s in middle school, the barbs have become sharper and more hurtful. Eye pulling. Gibberish meant to sound Chinese. Rude and personal questions. Because parental involvement is diminished in middle school, many of the kids don’t know my daughter was adopted. But if they find out, then she hears those comments too. Kids in middle school want one thing: to fit in—which is hard to do when you’re a Chinese child with Caucasian parents, being raised in a relatively non-diverse area.

Let’s hope National Adoption Awareness Month, celebrity adoptions, and continued dialogue will help to shine a light on the many ways a family can be formed. As our world becomes smaller and more diverse, maybe one day the stigma will vanish completely.

Darlene Friedman, senior director of membership marketing for Soroptimist (Soroptimist.org), co-authors a blog with her daughter (Edens-Garden.com) for tween girls and their moms. Soroptimist is an international women’s organization for international women’s issues.
]]> http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/national-adoption-awareness-month/feed/ 0 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/causes-of-sex-slavery-and-human-trafficking/ http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/causes-of-sex-slavery-and-human-trafficking/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:56:14 +0000 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/?p=66 ]]> Human Trafficking is an international problem to which millions fall victim each year. The problem is increasing because of globalization and the lack of regulations. When coercion is used to force one into

labor for the profit of another, this is trafficking. There are some general causes and influences of sex slavery and human trafficking.

Extreme poverty is typical in the regions and for victims where sex slavery occurs, especially among women. When women are unemployed and their economic position is low, there is no escaping their situations. With promises

of jobs or better living conditions, they are frequently coerced into slavery. In some societies, woman and girls are perceived as expendable, and they are treated with a lack of respect. In these cultures, it is not considered

morally wrong to abuse a female, which perpetuates the problem of human trafficking further.

Typically, there is extreme social and economic unrest and political corruption where human trafficking is common. This lack of stability leads to widespread corruption, allowing the abuse and the illegal transit of humans across

borders.

Human trafficking and sex slavery is also profitable, so in these corrupt and poor regions, the appeal of making money continues the problem. Not only is it cheap labor, but the profits

to be made on another, many times via organized crime, is big business. The human trafficking process begins at a country of origin and eventually to a country of destination, and the demand for the inhumane use of women and

children drives the continuation of human trafficking and sex slavery.

The demand is rising internationally, and the lack of public knowledge is another cause for human trafficking. With education and awareness, the problem would decrease. Human

trafficking not only affects countries with conflict and unrest, many destination countries where the demand for prostitution is high are developed countries, including the United States.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Causes of Sex Slavery and Human Trafficking” notes the causes of this global crime. Soroptimist.org is an international women’s organization to support women and girls become independent to evade these circumstances.
]]> http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/causes-of-sex-slavery-and-human-trafficking/feed/ 0 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/teenage-dating-violence-what-are-the-types-of-teenage-dating-violence/ http://publicservices.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/teenage-dating-violence-what-are-the-types-of-teenage-dating-violence/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:11:39 +0000 people2society http://publicservices.wordpress.com/?p=64 ]]> Teenage dating violence is not uncommon; almost a third of teens in the U.S. experience some type of abuse in their relationships. It follows the typical patterns that adult abusive relationships follow with repeated violence which gets worse every time. The abuser feels remorse and says they are sorry with promises to change, but the teeenage dating violence continues and the pattern continues. There are three main types of dating abuse: verbal and emotional, physical, and sexual.

Verbal or emotional abuse is about the abuser trying to gain control of the victims feelings or behaviors, as are all of the types of abuse. It instills fear in the victim and erodes their self worth and self esteem. Verbal and emotional abuse includes yelling, name calling, put downs, embarrassment, intimidation, and/or the spreading of rumors. It can make the person feel responsible for their abuse, as their abuser controls their actions and behavior. The victim feels trapped in the relationship, and is so manipulated that they fear ending the connection.

Physical abuse in teenage dating violence involves hitting, shoving, pushing, and any other unwanted contact with the victim body. The abuser overreacts in a negative way to a victim’s behavior, and becomes physically aggressive with their partner. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 45% of girls reported that they had experienced physical violence while in a teenage dating relationship. The terror a young person feels in this situation, again, traps them into remaining in a bad situation.

Sexual abuse is defined as unwanted sexual activity which includes kissing or touching, groping, and/or sexual intercourse. A partner in a relationship always has the right to say no to any sexual situation, and it is considered abusive when they are forced into something they do not want to do. Sexual abuse is common in abusive relationships, and a significant amount of physically battered victims are also raped by their partners. There are negative consequences to remaining in an abusive relationship for the victim, and most continue in the relationship.

An international volunteer organizations main goal is to improving the lives of women and girls. They address the important issue of teenage dating violence with projects that increase awareness about the problem. They also support education and prevention programs about teenage dating violence.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “What are the Types of Teenage Dating Violence” outlines the three main types of dating abuse: verbal/emotional, physical, and sexual. Soroptimist.org supports projects aiming to prevent teenage dating violence.

If a woman is uneducated, their options and rights for equal employment, political participation, financial independence, and informed family planning are extremely limited or non-existent. Internationally, women continue to be exploited and caught in poverty with their children’s lives compromised as well. Uneducated women are more likely to live in poverty, be infected with HIV/AIDS, or die in childbirth. Their children are also more likely to die of malnutrition.

Women with an education are more likely to be employed, and therefore able to support themselves and their children independently. When women are productive in a workplace, it contributes to the economy and society. Therefore, an effort toward educating women effects future generations and the global community. It has been found that educated women are more likely to engage in protected sex, therefore avoiding the spread of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. This also helps avoid unwanted pregnancies and contributes to a decline in infant mortality. Additionally, educated women are far more likely to send their children to school, continuing the positive effects.

There have been conferences and summits by international groups in efforts to achieve universal primary education. Some progress has been made, but not enough. Further goals include eliminating child labor, supporting gender responsive schools that allow pregnant girls to continue their education, producing relevant educational content, providing gender sensitive curricula, training more female teachers, building schools accessible to girls’ homes, and making schools safe for girls.

There are many organizations supports women and girls around the world to improve their lives, including many projects that help women and girls seek an education. These volunteer organizations of businesses and professional women contribute time and financial support on local and international levels.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Women’s Education: Girls and Women’s Education” summarizes the global need to properly educate women. Soroptimist.org is an international women’s organization, supports women in their pursuit to improve their lives.

1. Under NYS law, an alcohol/drug screening and evaluation is mandatory if your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) at the time of your arrest (as measured by the breath test) was .15 or higher.
2. The results of an evaluation can prove helpful to yourtraffic lawyer for plea bargaining purposes to demonstrate that your conduct on the night of the arrest was a one time event, and not a pattern of alcohol abuse behavior.
3. The alcohol screening/evaluation is part of the DMV’s DDP (Drinking Driver Program) and must be done to obtain a conditional driving privilege. The program’s completion is predicated upon a follow through with any treatment recommendations made by the OASAS (Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services) certified provider. They have an excellent website to locate providers in your area, just put OASAS into Google.

My advice before having your alcohol screening/evaluation:

1. Be prepared to answer questions about your drug and/or alcohol use.

   Read through the MAST (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test) to have an idea of the type of questions that will be on the screening forms. Within the DDP program the alcohol screening is a questionnaire/form to determine if you need an evaluation/assessment by a provider.
   

2. Be prepared to provide a urine sample for a drug screen.

   NOTE: Drug screens are not drug tests. Screens are very general, fast, and inexpensive. They have a high sensitivity (show allot of false positives), and are not specific as to quality or type of drug. A drug test is very specific, and designed to qualify and quantify a certain drug. You may not have to provide a urine sample but why risk it. It is always better to expect to give a clean sample than to decline. I tell all my clients to avoid being around cannabis for at least four weeks prior to the test and other drugs for at least two weeks before the screen.
   Many drugs both legal and illegal have a long half life (stay in your body for a long period of time). The way half life works is that every 7 days half the drug is left over after your use. After an additional 7 days half of the remaining half is left over- that is 1/4 left. After an additional 7 days, half of the remaining 1/4 is left- that is 1/8 of the original dose and so on. After 5 half lives 1/64 of the drug may be left- at this point it is likely that there will not be any clinical effect from the drug. This half life is dependent upon the frequency of the drug’s usage, method of intake, length of usage, your tolerance to the drug, your fluid intake, your body size, your body fat, your metabolism, and the specific range that the drug testing uses to signify a “positive” for drug use. THC in particular is stored by the body in the fatty lipid tissue and are gradually released into the blood stream until cleared. For chronic users with a high body fat percentage, this process of elimination can take several weeks. Sometimes people on diets may be burning off fat, and releasing stored drugs (drugs stored in fat cells) into their urine.
   The table below gives a guide to detection periods for many commonly used drugs:
   

   Drug & Approximate Time Period of Detection
   Alcohol 6–24 hours Amphetamines 2–3 days Barbiturates 1 day to 3 weeks Benzodiazepines 3–7 days Cocaine 2–5 days Euphoric (MDMA, Ecstasy) 1–3 days Marijuana (THC) 7–30 days (mild use – moderate use – frequent/chronic use)Steroids (anabolic) 14–30 days
   
   Any prescription drugs not reported to the provider but that may show up in your urine will be suspect as drugs of abuse. Remember that second-hand cannabis smoke exposure can also cause you to fail a standard urine drug screen.
   

   Some OTC (over the counter) medications can also trigger false positives on drug screens:

   • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
   • Midol
   • Sudafed
   • Vicks Nasal Spray
   • Neosynephren
   • Ephedra and Ephedrine (often in diet products)
   • Vicks 44
     
     

   If you are determined to be a drug abuser (having drugs in your system that are unreported, unprescribed, and/or illegal) you will get a treatment recommendation of 3-12 months time. This is usually a twelve step based group and/or individual program with a frequency of 2-3 times per week. This program is likely to include follow up drug screens, and an order to completely stay away from drugs and alcohol. Note: You are allowed to obtain one second opinion concerning your evaluation. This second evaluation is then the final one for the Court.

3. Be prepared to follow through on all recommended treatment, and evaluations because the Court is going to want proof of completion.

If you receive a CD (conditional discharge) from the Court this will be one of terms of that discharge. If you fail to meet the Court’s conditions your case can be re-opened and your failure will be considered a violation of the Court’s Order.

If your alcohol evaluation indicates a “no treatment recommended” that will often be helpful to avoid the prosecutor (Assistant District Attorney ) recommending a term of probation as a condition of your final sentence. This report of No Treatment by an evaluator can also assist your attorney in getting a ADWI (Aggravated DWI) charge where your BAC was .18 or higher reduced to a “regular” DWI.

I hope that this article sheds some much needed light on the DWI alcohol evaluation process.

Lawrence Newman love practicing DWI defense law within the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. For more information about “Traffic Lawyer’s Advice: Three Things You Must Know Before Going to Your DWI Alcohol Evaluation” or “Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI)” please visit www.town-court.com.

According to the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the United Nations Interagency Project on Human Trafficking in the Mekong Sub-region, sex trafficking appears to be growing in scope and magnitude, with increasing numbers of countries involved due in large part to globalization and the relative ease with which traffickers are able to transport victims between countries.

Sex trafficking is a widespread problem, implicating nearly every country in the world:

• Around 75 percent of all human trafficking victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
• About two million women and children are held in sexual servitude around the world, but many experts believe the actual number of trafficked peoples is upwards of 10 times as much. Because of its clandestine nature, it is difficult to determine the magnitude of human trafficking . According to the Dutch National Rapporteur Against Trafficking in Human Beings, only around 5 percent of trafficking cases are ever reported.
• An estimated 120,000 women and girls are trafficked into Western Europe each year. There have been reports of sexual trafficking in at least 20 U.S. states, with most cases occurring in New York, California and Florida. Once issues of domestic trafficking are included, all 50 states would be implicated.
• An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 women and children are trafficked into the U.S. each year. And at any given time, there are 30,000 – 50,000 sex slaves in the United States.
• Sex trafficking fuels the commercial sex industry, which includes both legal and illegal prostitution.

Sex trafficking happens in both public and private locales. In some cases, trafficking victims are highly visible and engage in street-level prostitution, but in most cases, sex trafficking takes place in underground venues, such as private homes or brothels. Often, public and legal locations such as massage parlors, spas and strip clubs will be a front for illegal prostitution and trafficking.

Human trafficking is sometimes called the “new slavery,” because it retains many of the same characteristics of a slave (trafficking victim)/master (trafficker) relationship. In the new slavery, women and girls are purchased cheaply and sold to customers at a high profit margin. Rather than serve one master or in one locale, victims are passed around among a variety of “owners.” And because of the seemingly endless supply of women and girls, slaves are ultimately disposable.

Many countries lack tough anti-trafficking legislation and even when legislation is in place, laws are often not enforced. Relatively few trafficking cases are prosecuted, and of those, very few result in convictions. Fear and shame keep many women and girls from seeking help, and widespread police corruption, exemplified by Thailand and Russia, makes it unsafe for trafficking victims to approach local and national authorities.

Occasionally, women and girls are rescued from traffickers and receive support, care and compassion. More often, though, trafficking victims are treated like criminals by the police. Women and girls arrested in trafficking circles are often processed as illegal immigrants rather than trafficking victims, and are immediately deported to their home countries where, because few economic alternatives exist, they begin the cycle of trafficking and exploitation all over again.