Author: Rebecca Councill

HCAH’s Marjorie Joseph Honored as UNA Houston’s Global Citizen Recipient

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date October 26, 2021

HCAH's Marjorie Joseph Honored as UNA Houston's Global Citizen Recipient

The Houston Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) hosted the city’s UN Day on Sunday October 24—the 76th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. We are very excited and humbled to share that the keynote speaker and UNA Global Citizen award honoree was Marjorie A. Joseph, Poet and Executive Director of Houston Coalition Against Hate. This recognition is a true testament to her dedication and the Coalition’s work to create a world of acceptance and belonging.

Every October, the United Nations Association and its national network of more than 200 chapters, including the Houston Chapter (a local 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan organization), honor UN Day—to commemorate the ratification of the United Nations Charter and to celebrate the varied and difficult work of the Organization. UNA-USA chapters are dedicated to educating, inspiring and mobilizing Americans to support the principles and programs of the United Nations. Chapters also are keen on promoting constructive United States leadership in the UN system.

This year’s theme was Creating a Blueprint for a Better Future. For more than seven decades, UNA-USA members have advocated on behalf of the UN and its agencies. Over the last year and a half, we’ve seen just how interconnected the world is and that a threat anywhere—from the COVID-19 pandemic to intensifying impacts of climate change—is a threat everywhere.

The U.S. should not—and cannot—tackle global challenges alone – creating a blueprint for a better future can only be achieved through working in tandem with the UN.

The program can be viewed through the following platforms:
Houston Coalition Against Hate
Facebook
YouTube

Sources
Houston Coalition Against Hate

Tags Global Citizen, hcah, Marjorie Joseph, UNA Houston

Community Share Op-eds Title IX

October – These two awareness issues share more than a month

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date October 21, 2021

October – These two awareness issues share more than a month

Let’s do the math – it is estimated that 281,550 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Of these, over 43,600 women will die as a direct result of that diagnosis (ACS, 2021). If that weren’t bad enough, public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control, state that 5.3 million of women will be victimized by a “loved one” annually as a result of domestic violence.

Both cancer and domestic violence are exacerbated by similar and complex social issues such as financial insecurity, institutional racism, discrimination, and isolation from supportive networks. If we consider the added stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of job loss, caregiving demands, and disrupted access to services, 2021 is not shaping up to be a good year for women.

Women living in violent relationships are at higher risk for delayed screening, advanced-stage cancer, and reduced chance for survival. A history of intimate partner violence (IPV) also impacts optimal cancer care receipt, such as surgery and hormone therapy. We do understand the impact, both emotional and physical, that social relationships have on women’s health. Women in abusive relationships have very limited access to
healthy interventions further complicating early detection and treatments that could be lifesaving.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, yet these two issues are more interconnected than we realize. It is not enough to wear a pink or purple t-shirt. We must advocate for research, education, and policies that remove barriers to women’s health and wellbeing. We must advocate for these two powerful campaigns to join together and combine their resources to save women’s lives.

Sources
1. Afrisham R, Paknejad M, Soliemanifar O, Sadegh-Nejadi S, Meshkani R, Ashtary-Larky D. (2019). The influence of psychological stress on the initiation and progression of diabetes and cancer. Int J Endocrinol
Metab,17(2):e67400

2. Alcalá, H. E., Keim-Malpass, J., & Mitchell, E. M. (2021). Sexual assault and cancer screening among men and women. Journal of interpersonal violence, 36(11-12), NP6243–NP6259.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518812797

3. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2021. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2021.

4. Aygin, D., & Bozdemir, H. (2019). Exposure to violence in breast cancer patients: Systematic review. Breast
Cancer, 26(1), 29-38. doi:10.1007/s12282-018-0900-6

5. Coker, A., Reeder, C., Fadden, M.K., & Smith, P. (2004). Physical partner violence and Medicaid utilization and expenditures. Public Health Rep, 119,557-567.

6. DeSantis, C.E., Ma, J., Gaudet, M.M., Newman, L.A., Miller, K.D., Goding Sauer, A., Jemal, A. and Siegel, R.L.
(2019), Breast cancer statistics, 2019. CA A Cancer J Clin, 69: 438-451. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21583

7. Dionigi, F., Martinelli, V., Trotti, E., Ferrari, A., Garcia-Etienne, C. A., Valle, A. D., Grasso, D., Ferraris, E.,
Rizzo, G., Praticò, V., & Sgarella, A. (2020). “My Husband Affects Me More Than My Cancer”: Reflections on simultaneous intimate partner violence and breast cancer experience in a 48-year-old woman. Journal of Cancer Education, 35(5), 1041–1045. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01661-9

8. Emory Home. Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Facts. Atlanta: Facts Sheet. http://emory.edu

9. Jetelina, K. K., Carr, C., Murphy, C. C., Sadeghi, N., S Lea, J., & Tiro, J. A. (2020). The impact of intimate
partner violence on breast and cervical cancer survivors in an integrated, safety-net setting. Journal of Cancer
Survivorship,14(6), 906–914. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00902-x

10. Johnson, W.A., & Pieters, H.C. (2016). Intimate partner violence among women diagnosed with cancer. Cancer
Nursing,39(2), 87-96. doi:10.1097/NCC.0000000000000265

11. Lee, R. K., Sanders, V. L., & Mechanic, M. B. (2002). Intimate partner violence and women of color: A call for
innovations. American Journal of Public Health, 92(4), 530–534.

12. Lovestad, S., Jesper, L., Vaez, M., & Krantz, G. (2017). Prevalence of intimate partner violence and its
association with symptoms of depression; a cross-sectional study based on a female population sample in Sweden.
BMC Public Health, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4222-y

13. Modesitt, S.C., Gambrell, A., Cottrill, H.M., Hays, L.R., Walker, R., Shelton, B., Jordan, C.E., & Ferguson, J.E.
(2006). The adverse impact of a history of violence for women with breast, cervical, endometrial, or ovarian
cancer. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 107(6), 1330 – 1336.

14. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2019). Domestic violence in Texas. Retrieved from
www.ncadv.org/files/Texas.pdf.

15. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2020). Domestic violence. Retrieved from
https:assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/domestic_violence-2020080709350855.pdf?1596811079991.

16. Texas Council on Family Violence. Honoring Texas victims, family violence fatalities in 2020. Austin: Analysis
Report. https://tcfv.org/publications

About the Author

Donna Amtsberg, LCSW is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work. She is also a Board Member with the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.

Chiara Acquati, Ph.D., LMSW is an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research.

Community Share Op-eds

HAWC Commitment to Engaging in the Magnolia Park/Manchester Community

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date September 20, 2021

People associate the Houston Area Women’s Center with domestic and sexual violence and while our mission continues to be to “End domestic and sexual violence for ALL”, we recognize that prevention is more than just talking about it. While our prevention team educates community members on what domestic violence and sexual violence is and how it impacts the community, they are also working with communities themselves to address some of the core factors of violence.

Often times organizations come in with the idea that “they” know what the community needs, when in reality the only people who know what they’re needing are those who live in the community. One way our team has been doing this in the Magnolia Park/Manchester community, a predominately Hispanic/Latinx community, is through meeting with community members and leaders to get an understanding of what’s happening in the community.

We are also working with community schools to recruit students who want to impact their community and receive evidence-based prevention curriculum. The Be Strong curriculum works with young women to encourage empowerment, healthy boundaries and community involvement. The Live Respect Curriculum focuses on young men and challenges their concepts of masculinity and respect.

We are also working in establishing a student and adult advisory board, to give us insight on what the community needs are. Since both groups will be made up of community members, we will ensure the voices of those we’re hearing are voices from the community. In addition, youth participating in Be Strong, Live Respect and the Student Advisory Board will be able to match with a mentor from the Magnolia Park/Manchester Committee. Mentors will be identified through the Adult Advisory Board members, community leaders and interested community partners.

Most recently we have collaborated with the Magnolia Park Dia de los Muertos event. During the event, we will be hosting an art competition with the theme “Celebrating Life” and highlighting the lives of those who were killed as a result of domestic and sexual violence. By participating in community events like these, we are recognizing the importance of the events to the community, as well as providing resources that perhaps the community was not aware of previously. Through supporting community voices, we are able to identify needs within the community so we can focus on community activism and therefore create an environment without violence.

About the Author

Isabel Martinez
Director of Violence Prevention
– HAWC

Community Share Op-eds

How one Survivor Stopped the Cycle

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date May 18, 2021

In April 2020, I found myself hopeless, homeless, afraid, and ashamed as a result of domestic violence. I felt very alone, I knew hardly no one in Houston, and at the time, didn’t have enough money to leave the home I shared with my partner, although he was abusive. In the middle of the pandemic, the abuse I’d experienced became worse. As a result, I fled my home and went to the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) for nearly three months. I thank my Creator every day for the services I received at HAWC.

All of the resources I received at HAWC (e.g., shelter, food, legal assistance, etc.) were absolutely awesome and I’m eternally gratefully. However, the individual and group therapy I received at the shelter changed my life, for the rest of my life. I began to understand ‘why’ I accepted abuse. I learned skills that empowered me and has helped me navigate life after making the decision to walk away and stay away from the abusive relationship. I am no longer ashamed to share that I coexist with mental health diagnoses, for which, I have a mental health plan that includes ongoing therapy.

I am now committed to raising awareness around domestic and intimate partner violence and removing the stigma of mental health.

O yeah, I am happy to report that I serve on the Board of Director’s for the very shelter that changed my life (#GOHAWC), and I NOW live an abuse free life, full of joy, peace, hope and happiness, which I know is what I’ve always deserved! And now I share my story with hope and prayer that others know they are deserving of an abuse free life full of joy, peace, hope and happiness too!

About the Author

Jamie Wright
DV Survivor Turned Advocate

Op-eds

The headline is always the same “Children were not harmed”

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date May 18, 2021

“I’m afraid of not unlearning the bad things my parents taught me.”
― Trista Mateer, Aphrodite Made Me Do It

The headline is always the same “Children were not harmed”; that headline always makes me cringe.

Last Wednesday night Erica Allen, an elementary school principal, loss her life at the hands of her husband Nicholas Allen, who was an assistant principal. He later took his own life; their two children were in the home during this event. The children are two and seven years old.

The children have been harmed.

Below is a video I often share during training on the affects of domestic violence on children. You may be familiar with it; if not it is a great tool to help the audience see how the violence in the home is shaping the children and also a reminder to victim advocates and first responders about trauma informed care.

About the Author

HCDVCC Training Director,
Thecia Jenkins

Op-eds Stress Awareness

April is Stress Awareness Month

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date April 15, 2021

April is Stress Awareness Month

7 Ways to Destress:

1. Get a change of scenery – If you are working remotely from home try another room in your home to work. A trip to the beach or local park working from your wi-fi for a couple of hours so that you can enjoy nature while you work.
2. Take a social media timeout – Social media is an excellent tool and I personally love it; however, it can also be distracting and studies show it can increase depression and anxiety secondary to the social phenomenon of FOMO or otherwise known as Fear Of Missing Out. Give yourself and timeout and focus on your personal goals, accomplishments and gratitude.
3. Tap into inner artist – Coloring books for adults are gaining popularity and can be easily found on Amazon. Coloring is a great strategy for relaxing and increasing one’s creativity. How many of remember the paint by numbers, those were cool!
4. Dance like no one is watching – the chemicals released during physical activity also help release stress from your body. So turn-up and move to the beat until you are wore out from the laughter and joy of movement.
5. Face the issue – Stress can also the be result of dodging necessary conversations and addressing challenges in our lives. So make the decision to have that crucial conversation or a plan to tackle that financial crisis so that you can breathe and move on.
6. Go to sleep – The body needs at least six hours of sleep to operate at its best level so ensure that you are getting proper rest for the body to rejuvenate.
7. Love yourself – Write yourself a love letter to remind yourself of how amazing you are; it is easy to lose ourselves in the lives of those around us that we are supporting. Make sure you are reminding yourself that you are important and the value that you bring everyday.

About the Author

HCDVCC Training Director,
Thecia Jenkins

Op-eds

What becomes of the youngest victims of domestic violence?

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date April 13, 2021

What becomes of the youngest victims of domestic violence? Who do they become and what becomes their view of the world?

I am convinced that so much of the brutality, selfishness and emotional numbness we witness while working with families affected by domestic and sexual violence is a direct result of adults who did not have access to counseling or other positive role models to combat the abuse they witnessed throughout their childhood.

Programs for children and youth are so important to equip the youngest survivors of abuse so they can reinvent their story and how they will choose to show up in the world; a healthier version of their upbringing. Children see themselves as an extension of their parents and that is natural because we are literally created by our parents; and yes it could be easy to assume that because my parent is abusive that is who I am too.

Counseling, primary prevention programming and mentorship can break the generational cycles of abuse. Thank you to all the programs that are integrating children and youth services into your work. You are building a healthier tomorrow and helping children and youth embrace who they are by building self-confidence and self-efficacy. It also an opportunity to help them see the good qualities of their parents and integrate those into their lives while recognizing that they parents may not be bad people, simply people who had bad things happen and did not resolve and re-write a healthier narrative.

About the Author

HCDVCC Training Director,
Thecia Jenkins

HCAH's Marjorie Joseph Honored as UNA Houston's Global Citizen Recipient

October – These two awareness issues share more than a month

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