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This year, MINCAVA's Director Jeff Edleson is on sabbatical and Ann Kranz has assumed the role of Director of Operations and Communications for the center during his year-long absence. We are a staff of six this year, which is a smaller team than we've been in the past, but as Margaret Meade wrote, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has!"
Below is a brief bio of each MINCAVA staff member:
Kevin Bullock Kevin Bullock develops and maintains MINCAVA's Web resources (Violence Against Women Online Resourcesand the MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse). He joined MINCAVA after completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2004. Before graduating, Kevin worked for the MSU Women's Center as a Web developer, making their Web site easier to use and more accessible for people with disabilities. He enjoys using his technical skills to aid in the struggle against violence. Kevin uses his free time to play guitar, read, and engage in action for social justice. |
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Jeffrey Edleson, PhD Jeffrey L. Edleson is a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota and Director of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse. He has published over 80 articles and six books on domestic violence, groupwork, and program evaluation. Dr. Edleson has conducted intervention research at the Domestic Abuse Project in Minneapolis for over 16 years. He has provided technical assistance to domestic violence programs and research projects across North America as well as in several other countries including Germany, Australia, Israel, Korea, and Singapore. |
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Sean Halloran Sean Halloran is a graduate assistant working for the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA). Sean's time is split between the MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse and VAWOR. Sean supports both projects with administrative support as well as developing and maintaining resources on the websites. Sean holds a BA degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Hawaii, and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Minnesota. Sean's professional interests include multicultural social work, gerontological social justice and public policy. Previously, Sean worked on health education initiatives for the Big Island AIDS Project and was most recently a programming coordinator for the Steven J. Schochet Center for GLBT Studies at the University of Minnesota. Sean is happy to have returned home to Minnesota again after spending eleven years on the island of Saipan, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In his free time, Sean enjoys exploring Minneapolis and visiting with relatives across Minnesota and Wisconsin. |
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Ann Kranz, MA Ann Kranz joined MINCAVA in 1998 to direct the expansion of Violence Against Women Online Resources, a collaborative project between the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women and MINCAVA. Ann holds a bachelor's degree in Corporate Communication with an emphasis in public relations from Buena Vista University and a Master of Liberal Studies degree from the University of Minnesota. Since 1991, Ann has utilized her communications skills to address violence against women by developing national training and publication programs, creating and implementing public awareness campaigns, and providing technical assistance to direct service providers and web site users. In her free time, Ann enjoys creative writing and hopes to publish a memoir about growing up and living with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. |
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Yukiko Nakajima, MA Yukiko Nakajima is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program at the School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. She recently finished MSW program at the University of Minnesota. She also completed a certificate in Psychotherapy at the University of Singapore. She is originally from Japan, but has extensive living experiences in Southeast Asia. Yukiko earned an MA in International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame and holds a BA in International Relations majoring in developing education from Ritsumaikan University. Her previous community service includes facilitating workshops on human rights education, feminist counseling, and leading fact finding team for sexual violence in time of war. Yukiko is interested in community education about sexual violence within oppressed communitites and empowering victim/survivor of violence in general. |
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Xavier Schmitz, MS Xavier Schmitz is a graduate assistant working at MINCAVA as a document development assistant. Xavier develops documents for Violence Against Women Online Resources, the National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women (VAWnet), and the MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse. Xavier is in his first year of the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Minnesota. Upon completion of his MSW, Xavier would like to work as a psychotherapist focusing on serving individuals in the LGBT community. He currently holds a Masters of Science degree in Women's Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato and Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. In his past professional experience, Xavier has worked in college student affairs in the areas of residential life and multicultural and international student affairs. In addition, he has held a variety of human services positions including working as a case manager for a nonprofit employment and training center and serving as a crisis interventionist at an alternative school for at-risk youth. In his free time, Xavier enjoys spending time outdoors and engaging in political action through performance art. |
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Jennifer Witt, MSW Jennifer Witt is MINCAVA's Document Development Coordinator, facilitating both Violence Against Women Online Resources and VAWnet's Applied Research Forum commissioned document development. Jennifer received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Minnesota and has a B. S. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. In her past professional experience, Jennifer has coordinated a Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and has worked on various community organizing and public education projects within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, as well as the violence against women movement. Jennifer is particularly interested in resource development and community organizing around issues related to violence against women. |
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As we look back over the past year, we are reminded how each of us can make a difference in changing perceptions and actions that lead to violence and abuse. We sponsored events that were small and touched the lives of those nearest to us--fellow students and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, and we also undertook activites that were limitless in their reach, spanning the continents through our web communication. We are proud of all of our work--both big and small--and write this newsletter as a means to summarize MINCAVA's accomplishments in 2004.
MINCAVA raised public awareness about domestic violence during its annual domestic violence awareness month activities. Since October 1987, it has been a time to mourn those who have died as a result of abuse, celebrate those who have survived, and connect with those who work to end it. This year, MINCAVA hosted the following activities:
In its interpretation of the Clothesline Project, MINCAVA created mock T-shirts out of cardstock, which contained the names and stories of each person murdered in Minnesota in 2003 as a result of domestic violence. Members of the School of Social Work community participated in decorating each shirt.
MINCAVA hosted a brownbag lunch seminar where two local experts with nationally renowned expertise shared information on domestic violence within the LGBT communities. Beth Zemsky offered strategies to effectively work with LGBT people in both clinical and political settings, and Diane Knust discussed the relationship between intimate partner violence and HIV/AIDS.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. It raises public awareness about hate crimes against transgender people and reminds non-transgender people to step forward to end anti-transgender violence. MINCAVA held two activities in recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance during the week of November 15, 2004:
MINCAVA created a "Memorial Wall" displaying more than 500 names and stories of people who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice from 1972 to 2004, and a "Hall of Fame" featuring 18 transgender activitists.
Nov. 25 (International Day Against Violence Against Women) thru Dec. 10 (International Human Right's Day) is considered the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. Together with Diane Knust's Gender Violence in Global Perspectives class, MINCAVA held a silent vigil in solidarity with the International Women in Black movement to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This International campaign originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute. This year's theme, "For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World: No More Violence," explored the impact of violence on women's physical, reproductive, sexual, emotional, and social health, and highlighted the intersection of violence against women and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
MINCAVA partnered with the Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education to present Dr. Robert Jensen, Professor of Journalism at the University of Texas, Austin, an expert in the field of pornography research. About 120 people attended the event on Friday, April 2, 2004, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM in the Ski-U-Mah room at the University of Minnesota Gateway McNamara Alumni Center to hear Dr. Jensen's presentation titled, "Institutional Inequalities: Pornography, Privilege, and Sexual Assault". The multimedia and research-based presentation educated participants on the personal effects of pornography and the "mainstream" pornography business in the United States. After the presentation, Dr. Jensen facilitated a discussion that provided participants an opportunity to discuss the topic. The goal of the event was to educate University of Minnesota professionals and students on "how pornography feeds stereotypical ideas of masculinity and how pornography and strict notions of masculinity can lead to violence - including sexual assault".
On August 2, 2004, MINCAVA participated in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Summer Extravagana sponsored by the College of Human Ecology at the University of Minnesota. Over 100 high-school students attended one of three interactive stations where MINCAVA staff presented a violence prevention learning module using an online, interactive case study about family violence called "Angela's Family" found at www.globalvp.umn.edu.
Over 200 guests attended the Sheila Shawl Extravaganza at the Weisman Art Museum on June 16, 2004 to bid on shawls offered through silent and live auction. Proceeds from the event benefited the Sheila Wellstone Fellowship in the School of Social Work and the Silent Witness National Initiative. The shawl shown above was donated to the School of Social Work. It displays stories, ideas and mementos from, for, and about victims of domestic violence.
MINCAVA Director Jeff Edleson and Program Director Ann Kranz continued to participate in the work of the Sheila Wellstone Institute as steering committee members and are assisting with the launching of a national organizing effort around the 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which we hope will include provisions that address the problem of children witnessing domestic violence in their homes.
MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse celebrated its tenth anniversary this Fall. MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse provides an extensive collection of educational resources about all types of violence, including higher education syllabi, published research, funding sources, upcoming training events, individuals and organizations, and searchable databases with over 1000 training manuals, videos and other education resources. In the past year, approximately 93 new items were added to website, which received an average of 1,200 visits each day. To keep current with new content, visit MINCAVA's What's New page.
Violence Against Women Online Resources offers over 275 full-text documents related to sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking from national and international organizations. Content includes reports, research summaries, curricula, presentations, manuals, and multi-media training tools. The site integrates stratified resources into one comprehensive, user-friendly site - www.vaw.umn.edu. Between October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004, VAWOR added 15 new full-text documents to the site's Document Library. VAWOR averaged 1,371 user sessions per day this past year, a 20% increase from the previous year. VAWOR also provided individualized technical assistance to over 480 individuals who requested information between October 1, 2003 and September 30, 2004.
MINCAVA received a $450,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the continuation of VAWOR until June 30, 2006. To read more about this project, please see VAWOR's Annual Report.
MINCAVA Director Jeffrey Edleson and his colleagues, Profs. Raquel Kennedy Bergen and Claire Renzetti, have published a newly edited book entitled "Violence Against Women: Classic Papers." The book, published by Allyn and Bacon, reprints 23 of the most influential papers on violence against women printed in the past 30 years. Each paper is accompanied by reflection pieces, mostly from the original authors.
MINCAVA staff worked with nationally renowned researchers, writers and advocates this past year to develop unique content exclusively for MINCAVA projects. Authors or co-author teams were commissioned to develop practitioner-friendly research addressing selected topic priorities. The following projects were (and in some cases will continue to be) developed exclusively for MINCAVA and its associated projects:
Research Summaries from the National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women (VAWnet)
VAWnet is an online resource for advocates working to end domestic violence, sexual assault and other violence in the lives of women and their children. MINCAVA facilitates the Applied Research Forum of VAWnet. The AR Forum provides users with concise analyses and interpretations of current research topics. This year, MINCAVA has developed the following research summaries for the VAWnet Applied Research Forum:
Sexual Victimization in Indian Country: Barriers and Resources for Native Women Seeking Help by Sherry Hamby This paper summarizes the barriers facing American Indian victims of sexual victimization and the resources available to them. The author focuses on systemic barriers found in the organizations and communities most likely to serve native women and provides an analysis of the implications these have on prevention and intervention strategies.
Pornography and Sexual Violence by Robert Jensen This paper summarizes the current research on the connection between pornography and sexual violence. This document looks at how we define pornography, the consumption and effects of pornography, and the implications this has on policies and practices.
Girls and Violence: Is the Gender Gap Closing? by Meda Chesney-Lind This paper summarizes the current research on girls' use of violence. As the publics concern about girls' aggression and violence is rising, this document reviews the objective evidence regarding youthful female violence, makes suggestions about what is occurring, and then briefly suggests ways that those who work with and care about girls can address the issue positively.
The Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs by Rebecca Campbell This paper provides a brief summary of the structure and functions of SANE programs, as they currently exist in the United States. This paper presents the current research on the effectiveness of SANE programs in three areas: 1) providing care in an empowering setting; 2) improving the quality of forensic evidence collection; and 3) increasing prosecution rates in their community. This paper also provides recommendations for future research.
Working with Men to Prevent Violence Against Women: An Overview (Part One) by Alan Berkowitz This paper provides an overview of current efforts involving men in the prevention of violence against women. This document discusses men's role in prevention, what is effective in men's prevention, and cultural issues and considerations in working with men.
Working with Men to Prevent Violence Against Women: Program Modalities and Formats (Part Two) by Alan Berkowitz This paper discusses best practices in prevention, provides an overview of different program modalities and formats, and reviews pedagogies that can be used in working with men to prevent violence against women.
MINCAVA is also currently developing the following VAWnet Applied Research documents:
Are Heterosexual Men Also Victims of Intimate Partner Abuse? by Joanne Belknap and Heather Melton
Domestic Violence and the Role of Religion by Rev. Marie Fortune and Rabbi Cindy Enger
Teen Dating Violence: A Review of Risk Factors and Prevention Efforts by Maura O'Keefe
Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls into the United States by Donna Hughes
Confronting the Sexual Abuse of Women with Disabilities by Amy Elman
A New Online Interactive Case Study about Elder Abuse: Irene's Family guides users through a situation of escalating violence toward an elder family member and incorporates current issues, policies, and legal obligations. The project is based on a similar case completed in 2000 ( www.globalvp.umn.edu).
Violence Against Women Online Resources commissions authors to develop original documents published exclusively on VAWOR. These short, user-friendly, research manuscripts address topics where a lack of information exists. Below is a listing of the eight documents currently being commissioned by VAWOR under our 03-05 cooperative agreement with United States Department of Justice.
Violence Against Women with Disabilities: Perpetrators as Caregivers By Beverly Frantz This paper addresses the definitional ambiguity regarding the terms disability, caretaker/care provider/caregiver, and intimate partner, and reviews the prevalence of violence directed towards persons with disabilities, environmental factors that affect caregiver abuse, and archetypes of abusive caregivers.
Stalking and Technology By Cindy Southworth The explosion of technology use across the population is providing stalkers with numerous and sophisticated tools. This paper focuses on abusers' use of technology in intimate partner stalking and how advocates can address safety risks with survivors. It presents new stalking methods, safety planning information, and action steps for local advocates working to end violence against women.
Dual Arrest and Probation: Implications for Women By Sherry Frohman and Connie Neal This paper looks at the need for probation officers to understand: 1) The tactics that abusers use to engage the criminal justice system in their abuse of women, 2) The significant number of women who are convicted of crimes who are victims of domestic violence, 3) The context and reasons why women who are abused plead guilty to domestic violence crimes, and 4) The critical need to implement a probation supervision response that actively supports the safety of all women who are convicted of crimes.
Co-Parenting with a Perpetrator of Domestic Violence By Peter Jaffe and Claire Crooks This article identifies central themes in the research that underline the challenges that abused women face as mothers. In addition, the implications for providing effective service to these women in the community and the justice system are discussed. Seven central themes are highlighted regarding the intersection between woman abuse and parenting. Specific implications and recommendations for community and court service providers are offered.
Expert Witnesses in Sexual Assault Cases By Kim Lonsway This paper summarizes the existing knowledge on the use of expert witnesses in cases involving sexual assault. The focus is primarily on expert testimony that is provided for the prosecution in a criminal case discussing the general dynamics of sexual assault and common reactions of victims. This paper reviews current research and experts in the field to insure that expert testimony is used in a responsible way.
Domestic Violence and Police Officers: Officers as Victims and Perpetrators By Diane Wetendorf This article examines how abusive officers in intimate relationships can use police authority, police training, and police culture to bolster power and control over their victims. In addition, this article discusses how professional credibility and training uniquely position officers who batter to explain, defend, and summon institutional support and assistance from the very systems to which victims are theoretically supposed to turn to for protection.
Domestic Violence Prevention Strategies in the LGBT Community By Janice Ristock in consultation with Norma Timbang This forthcoming paper will cover the research on what is known about domestic violence in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and will discuss ways to work effectively on prevention strategies within these communities.
Ensuring Economic Autonomy for Battered Women By Lynnie Meyer and Cathe Dykstra This paper provides an introduction to strategies for integration of economic services into domestic violence programming and reviews the current approaches in practice at The Center for Women and Families in Louisville, Kentucky, which encompasses several initiatives that focus on employment, economic literacy, savings opportunities promoting asset ownership, and linkage to a network of community resources to provide free-tax preparation and financial empowerment education.
The following projects are a part of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA):
MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse |
The Link Research Project |
Violence Against Women Online Resources
VAWnet (Applied Research Forum) |
Minnesota Rural Project for Women and Child Safety
MINCAVA is directed by Jeffrey L. Edleson,
PhD.
File Last Modified: 51. Copyright © 1995–2005 Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
