Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands Group Services Newsletter

The

Healing Voice March/April 2009 Volume 1, Issue 2

Ginny Waller – Executive Director Sherry Lewis—Director of Therapy and Outreach

Katie Reid—Community Education Program Director Jennifer Gantt—Group Services Coordinator Daphne Pearson—Advocate Counselor Mary Dell Amick—Volunteer Services Coordinator Melanie Griffin—Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Georgina Hance—Office Manager Sarah Eaton—Clinical Intern Jamie Stein—Education Intern

Reonda Washington – Education Intern

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In This Issue: • STSM Staff – Page 1

• Welcome C.H.I.C. Chat - Page 1

• Stalking - Page 2

• Facilitator Spotlight – Page 3

• Upcoming Events and – Page 3

• Current and Upcoming Groups – Page 3

• Friendly Reminder – Page 3

Welcome C.H.I.C. Chat!!! The newest group offered by Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands is C.H.I.C. Chat: Capturing Hope Inspiring Change. The psycho-educational group was started in an effort to promote self-confidence and awareness of dating violence among teenage girls. The six-week curriculum topics include relationships, self esteem, healthy body image, dating violence, sexual assault and stress.

WHAT IS CYBER STALKING?

• Cyber stalking is one of the latest variants of stalking behavior.

• The stalker utilizes electronic medians such as the internet to pursue, harass, and intimidate another.

• Cyber stalking usually occurs with women, stalked by men, or children who are stalked by adult predators.

• Cyber stalking victims are typically new online, and inexperienced with the rules of predators.

• Approximately 1 in 4 stalking victims reported some form of cyber-stalking such as email (83%) or instant messaging (35%).

(U.S. Department of Justice, 2009)

WHAT IS STALKING AND WHO IS AT RISK?

• Stalking is defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.

• During a 12-month period an estimated 14 in every 1,000 persons ages 18 and older were victims of stalking.

• About half (46%) of stalking victims experienced at least one unwanted contact per week, and 11% of victims said they had been stalked for 5 years or more.

• The risk of stalking victimization was highest for individuals who were divorced or separated—34 per 1,000 individuals.

• Women were at greater risk than men for stalking victimization; however, women and men were equally likely to experience harassment.

• Nearly 3 in 4 stalking victims knew their offender in some capacity.

(U.S. Department of Justice, 2009)

Upcoming Events : April 2009 – Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 9th – SCCADVASA Jean Day at the Capital April 15th – Movie in the Park @ Finley Park April 20th – 5th Annual “Tee it up for STSM” Golf Tournament April 22nd – Partner Appreciation Open House 5:30pm – 7:00pm

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Current Groups: Morris Village – Mondays @ 3:30pm Killingsworth – Mondays @ 7:30pm Shandon Support Group – Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Sistercare – Wed./Thurs @ 6:00pm C.H.I.C Chat – Thursdays @ 3:45pm

Upcoming Groups: Teen Support Group – Post Trauma Resources

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Friendly Reminder: All forms are due by the first business day of the month! Weekly group reports are due by 10am every Friday. Clinical supervision is offered by Sherry Lewis, Director of Therapy and Outreach.

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Contact Us: 3700 Forest Drive Suite 350 Columbia, SC 29204

Phone: 803-790-8208

Fax: 803-790-8282

24 Hour Crisis Line: 803-771-7273

www.stsm.org

Lisa Williams, M.A.

Lisa received a Bachelor of Arts from Converse College in her hometown of Spartanburg. She is currently in her fifth and final year at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, where she received a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and will receive a Psy. D. in August of this year. As part of her graduate training, she completed a two-year practicum at an Eating Disorder Clinic in Georgia. She provided individual, family, and group therapy to clients with a number of issues, including eating disorders, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Lisa moved to Columbia in June of 2008 when she was accepted to the clinical psychology internship program at William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute. This is the final step to obtaining a Psy.D. and involves providing assessment and individual, family, and group therapy within a number of different agencies around Columbia.

Lisa currently volunteers with Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands as a support group facilitator.

Thank you Lisa for your dedication and commitment to STSM!