To Catch a Rapist

In a January 2016 New York Times article, Kathy Dobie provides an in depth look at the way that rape myths hamper investigations of sexual assault. She says: “In a tragic twist, the most likely sexual-assault situations are often the ones most doubted or discounted by law enforcement — assaults involving drugs or alcohol, or those whose victims know their assailant or delay reporting the crime.” Dobie writes about the challenges and accomplishments of a special-victims unit.

That Big Little Word "No"

“Here’s the thing about that big little word, “no”: It makes room. You say no and burn out the underbrush choking your growth. You make space for getting bigger. And you don’t even know how much room you have, how big you can get, until you do.” Read more from Olga Kreimer in the Washington Post “When it came time to defend myself, it was easier to fight than tospeak up.”

 

Working with Trauma

National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine has published Bessel van der Kolk’s  and Ruth Buczynski’s report on Four Concrete Steps for Working with Trauma. See the full report for details. The highlights are:

1.      Self-regulation

2.      Cultivate effective action

3.      Find language for your inner experience 

4.      Engage in rhythmical interaction 

IMPACT Chicago is Looking for New Instructors

IMPACT Chicago is looking for some dedicated, compassionate, and dynamic women and men to join our team. IMPACT Chicago instructors work closely with each other to maintain consistency in our programming and to nurture a strong sense of community. This is not just a job, it’s a commitment to working to end violence and build a non-violent world in which all people can live safely and with dignity. Our instructors are dedicated to creating an environment where program participants can find their power, develop their confidence, and enhance their safety. Being an IMPACT instructor is incredibly rewarding as "graduates" discover their power, build their confidence, and increase their safety tools.  

For information about applying to be a Lead Instructor,  click here.

For information about applying to be a Suited Instructor, click here.

Girls on Fire

Susan Harrow, author of True Shield: Verbal Self-DefenseTraining for Young Women & Teens, is committed to girls having the tools and the “fire” to use their words to keep themselves safe.  Her book is built around 10 scenarios that girls often face:

1.       A “cool” girl spreads rumors or teases you.

2.       A guy grabs your butt or boobs.

3.       You are offered drugs.

4.       A bully is targeting you.

5.       You are the target of a cyber-bully.

6.       A teacher ignores you.

7.       A teacher gives you a grade you don’t believe you deserve.

8.       You are being catcalled on the street

9.       When you want a job or an internship but no one thinks you have any skills.

10.   When someone asks you out on a date and the answer is NO.

For each scenario, Harrow describes the scenario, what is really going on, what you can say, what you can do and provides words of wisdom from other girls in their teens and twenties.

For more information or a copy of the book, go to www.prsecrets.com/books/true-shield/

Donors Make an IMPACT!

Tuition covers about 65% of the costs of the Core Program and IMPACT for Girls.Donors cover the rest.It is not too late to donate.Please send a check to IMPACT Chicago, 4057 N.Damen Ave, Chicago IL 60618 or contact Tara at info@impactchicago.org to donate through Paypal.Unless otherwise noted below, the donation was to the IMPACT Chicago General Fund.Thank you to all those who supported the IMPACT Chicago 2015 Fund Drive!

Anonymous

Jeanne Adams

Janet & David Altman

Lisa Amoroso - in honor of the IMPACT admin team

Arlene Benzinger

Dolores & Glenn Bjorkman

Susan Blessing

Jill Britton - on behalf of IMPACT’s Board of Directors

Patricia Broughton

Sheila Carson - on behalf of Katie Kramer

Darcy Chamberlin

Wesley & Kimberly Clifton

Nancy Cohen

Christina Coines

Christina Collins

Maury Collins

Dianne Costanzo - in memory of Adrian Costanzo

Cynthia Coy - in memory of Marilyn Coy

Tammy & Jim DeBoer - on behalf of women everywhere

Julie Dorfman & Jerry Herst - in honor of Dori Conn

Maureen Dunn

Carla Eisenberg

Cheri Erdman

Carol Ference

Kira Freigang

Gwyn Friend

Eileen Gelblat

Tess Given

Robyn & Tijuana Gray

Debborah Harp

Margit Henderson

Victoria Herbert

Constance Heyer - in memory of Deborah Ann Heyer

Belinda & Ed Hidalgo

Demetria Iazzetto

Loretta Jackson

Valerie Jenkins

June Kirk

Katherine Knapowski

Mary Komparda--in honor of Dianne Costanzo

Kelli Landes

Susan Landwer - in memory of Denise Fox

Ruth Lipschutz

Carmen Maso

Marianne Merola

Dorothy Meyer

Clara Orban

Lauren Perez

Liz Pfau

Rachel Pildis

Lisa Pines

A.C. Racette

Don & Judy Rosedale- on behalf of Katie Skibbe

Roger Safian

Laura Sanders

Therese Schmieg

Gail Schubert

Janette Scott

Christopher Siebert

Katie Skibbe

Linda Stawicki - on behalf of Jill Britton and Henry Borczyk

Martha Thompson-in honor of the Admin Team--Kathleen, Laura, Lisa, & Tara

Allison Tolman - on behalf of Molly Norris

Iris Waichler

Gail Warner

Five Questions to Evaluate a Self-Defense Tip

Empowerment Self-Defense Instructor Joanne Factor of Strategic Living in Self-defense offers five questions to help decide whether any specific piece of advice is empowering and worth adding to you self-defense toolkit.

1. Is it based on reality? 

 2. Does it give you tools you can use? 

3. Does it make your life bigger? 

4. Does it avoid blaming those targeted for attack? 

5. Does it prioritize self-determination? 

                         

For more details about these five questions and other great resources, check out Joanne Factor's newsletter