During the annual Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women/16 Days Campaign, the Zonta Club of Frankfort held a meeting with guest speaker, Deanne Hunter, Director of CASA (Child Appointed Special Advocate) for Abused and Neglected Children for Clinton County.
The Clinton County Court Appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”) Program is a program that recruits, screens, and trains volunteer child advocates or CASAs to work in the court system in collaboration with other key agencies, legal counsel, and community resources to represent the best interests of children in juvenile court proceedings. A CASA volunteer is an unbiased voice that speaks up for the best interest of a child who has been put into the court system because of abuse and/or neglect. They serve an important role in the life of a child in the legal system. The CASA takes the time to learn and understand the child’s needs and their recommendations are part of the judge’s decision-making process.
Hunter stated that the majority of their cases involve domestic violence and that the question most people ask is “why didn’t they (the protective parent/adult) just leave?” However, she directed the Zonta members to “why they stayed” by sharing that for too long, our culture has portrayed domestic violence and child abuse as distinct and siloed issues. For those doing the work, the link between them is undeniable. Both child abuse and intimate partner violence are much more likely to occur in households experiencing poverty, substance abuse, disordered mental health, stress, and social isolation. Domestic violence and child abuse go hand-in-hand, so to speak. Not all child abuse is physical; it can be verbal, substance abuse by the parent, and neglect of the child’s basic needs.
Many served by the CASA Program suffer from childhood trauma. The National Institute of Mental Health defines trauma “as the experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” When children witness violence between their adult caregivers or experience abuse, they start believing that the world is an unpredictable and threatening place. Children living with domestic violence can suffer emotional and psychological trauma from the impact of living in an environment that is dominated by tension and fear. They can potentially perpetuate the abusive cycle.
While many think about the impact of domestic violence on older children or teenagers, many times it is younger ones, even infants, who can be most impacted. The younger the brain the more sponge-like it is, which makes younger children more vulnerable to trauma. Some children have exposure to many years of trauma which creates mental health problems and continues the abusive cycle. These children are fighting an uphill battle for survival and an understanding of what is a non-abusive home. These types of reactionary emotions and behaviors are what CASAs see in the majority of cases.
Oftentimes the parents were exposed to these same sorts of abuse, and they perpetuate the cycle. They get assistance from the Department of Child Services (DCS) by being connected with mental health providers, service providers to assist with overcoming their own trauma, and help with basic needs and skills – jobs, beds, housing. Many have self-medicated to deal with their past and therefore have current problems with drugs.
The primary responsibilities of a CASA volunteer are to gather insightful information about everything and everyone in the child’s life. The information is gathered by talking with the child, talking with the parents, and family members, reviewing documents and records, and speaking with the professionals in the child’s life.
While CASAs main focus is the safety of the child, they are part of a team that helps to identify and assist the whole family with the who, what, why, and how to reunify the family. Along with CASAs, the team includes DCS, service providers, such as mental health professionals, those providing resources to help overcome their own trauma, and those assisting with basic needs and skills, and the court. The team’s information about the child and the family ensures that the judge has all the information he/she needs to assist in his/her decision to place the child in a safe, permanent home environment.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Zonta members selected gift tags from a Christmas tree to provide items to the children currently in the CASA program to help fill their list. Members then shopped independently to get just what each child needed and/or wanted and these gifts were delivered to Deanne last weekend, just in time to make Santa’s sleigh!
What can you do if you suspect or know of domestic violence and/or child abuse? Call a domestic violence or child abuse hotline. A call to either sets the wheels in motion for a wellness check. Preventing domestic violence and child abuse involves “someone” getting involved. *ALL of us are mandatory reporters. *IC 12-10-3 & IC 31-33-5
Domestic Violence: Statewide Hotline – 800-332-7385 / YWCA Greater Lafayette:765-423-1118 or 888-345-1118
Child Abuse: Indiana Child Abuse Hotline – 800-800-5556
For more information on becoming a CASA volunteer, call CASA for Clinton County: 765-357-6123
In addition to the outreach with the CASA Program, the Club hosted a Christmas brunch for ladies residing in Clinton County who are being served in Frankfort by Advocates with the YWCA Greater Lafayette. Along with brunch, those attending enjoyed playing a couple games, with the assistance of Nohemi Lugo, Hispanic Advocate with the YWCA, and Zonta members provided the ladies with gift bags containing an assortment of “pampering” items for them to enjoy!
The YWCA offers support groups for adults, children, and families on various topics for those experiencing abuse and wanting to break the cycle of violence. These groups include focus on domestic violence education, sexual assault, self-esteem, parenting, and healing art & education. Some classes are held here in Frankfort and childcare is available during many of them.
Through case advocacy, support groups, legal advocacy, and emergency shelter, YWCA Greater Lafayette is on a mission to support and empower survivors of violence.
A través de la defensa de casos, grupos de apoyo, defensa legal y refugio de emergencia, YWCA Greater Lafayette tiene la misión de apoyar y empoderar a los sobrevivientes de la violencia.
Whether Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, or Stalking, the YWCA is there to help.
For more information, to help, or to volunteer, call the YWCA: 765-742-0075
The WeCare Recovery Home was also supported with gifts to the women currently in their program. Jennifer Gardner, Director of Operations, shared that their main home is full with ten living there, plus the Resident Assistant, along with two women who are through the program and currently living in their transition home. All thirteen were gifted bags with assorted items to pamper themselves!
WeCare is a recovery home that believes in faith-based treatments for women. The 12-month, faith-based recovery program is for women dealing with a substance use disorder. Classes are hosted six days a week, as well as Bible studies throughout the week, and residents are accompanied to church on Sundays. The residents at WeCare have a 6-week probation period and are permitted to seek employment after four weeks and volunteer within the community every day.
With graduation, the WeCare staff assists residents with finding jobs while continuing to host classes to ensure the women remain supported as they commence their recovery journey. Some graduates may choose to stay in the transition house to relieve concerns as they re-enter the community fully.
Transportation assistance is always needed, as most of the women do not have a driver’s license when entering the facility.
For more information, to help with transportation, or to otherwise volunteer, call WeCare: 765-605-1667