ExecutiveMom's Safety and Self Defense Blog

Support Services for Crime Victims

Bill would help link violent-crime victims to support services

By April Simpson, Globe Staff  |  September 13, 2007

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would establish standardized steps that healthcare workers could follow to help victims of violent crimes get social services, such as a referral to a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.

The measure, which received support from advocates yesterday during a Beacon Hill hearing, would require the state Department of Public Health to develop the voluntary guidelines to help hospitals and community health centers link victims with support services.

If passed, Massachusetts would become the first state to offer such a system of intervention.

"When a victim of violence is seeking medical care, health professionals have a unique opportunity to intervene," said Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. "And what happens in the healthcare setting can make a difference as to whether a victim is able to break the cycle of violence or becomes a statistic again."

In 2005, nearly 30,000 violent crimes in Massachusetts resulted in injuries that required medical attention. So far this year, there have been 35 domestic violence murders in the state, Ferrer said.

Valerie Bassett, director of government relations at the Boston Public Health Commission, said there is currently no consensus among healthcare providers on the best practices for all victims of violence. Bassett said the Boston Public Health Commission consulted with the state Department of Public Health in crafting the bill and that the department supports it.

To read the whole article click HERE.
What a great new bill - support it if you can and help spread the word to other states!!

To schedule a seminar for your business, group or organization on Anti-Victimization. We travel all over to church groups, colleges, businesses offices, YMCAs, Hospitals, etc to instruct individuals on how to PREVENT an assault and how to defend themselves if needed.  Click HERE for more information and schedule a class.

What other ways can you help yourself? Victims of crime? Something to think about....
Have a SAFE weekend.

"The No A--h--- Rule"

It's a sad fact that workplace violence is increasing, especially against employers, says the National Safe Workplace Institute. But there are warning signs that it may happen, and ways to prevent it.

Whether caused by actual abuse or simple annoyance, anger saps your workers' energy and hampers their productivity.

If you're like most people, you're going to spend more than 40 years of your life working. Wouldn't it be nice if it was always a pleasant experience, shared with pleasant people?

Unfortunately, it sometimes isn't, and there's a growing awareness of that fact.

Spurred by pressure to achieve ever-better bottom lines in a world of ever-increasing competition, anger at work is rising. It can be caused by simple annoyance or actual harassment or abuse. But whatever its causes, the results are negative ... teamwork disturbed, turnover increased, productivity rates down the tubes.

Taking it up a level on the anger-causing scale is Stanford professor and author Robert I. Sutton. His book (sensitive ears may wish to skip this sentence) is titled The No Asshole Rule ... Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't.

Sutton defines his focus character as someone who regularly practices "bullying, interpersonal aggression, emotional abuse," and "petty tyranny," especially against those lower on the company totem pole. The damage such individuals cause is substantial because "nasty interactions have five times the punch of positive ones," Sutton says.

The solution to the "AH problem" is not a simple one, but Sutton points to companies, such as Southwest Airlines and Men's Wearhouse, that have found it. "Civilized workplaces do exist," he writes, "where pervasive contempt can be replaced with mutual respect ... when a team or organization is managed right."

Managed wrong, such situations can escalate to frightening proportions, including physical violence.

We can talk more about that by scheduling a seminar for your work group -- email: ME or visit: http://www.execdeftech.com

I have to say that I really enjoyed Robert Sutton's book and wish that a few of my managers had read it over the years… the people you work with, make all the difference in the world when it comes to your attitude and outlook on the job.
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What Would You Do If Your Child Fell On the Playground?

For many children - there aren't many options... should that be the case in the US? you decide and then decide how you can help...

To many kids, back to school means dreaded homework assignments, after school sports, and reuniting with friends after a long summer vacation.

But for nine million uninsured kids, back to school means trying not to get sick or injured on the playground because they don’t have access to affordable health care.

Call your member of Congress at 1-800-828-0498 and tell him/her to support a strong CHIP bill to send to the President as soon as possible. Or click here to send an email.

Rather than spend $50 billion to expand the CHIP program, as was passed by the House of Representatives in late July, the President began lobbying Congress to authorize that exact same amount to be spent on funding for the Iraq War. [1][1] 

In a sad demonstration of misplaced priorities, the President requested another $50 billion to fund 16 weeks of war in Iraq at the same time he declared his intention to veto $50 billion for five years of health care for millions of children here in America.

His reason?  Kids' health care costs too much. 

Please call your member of Congress now at 1-800-828-0498 to reauthorize the program before it expires on September 30th or click here to send an email.

The President’s decision to prioritize the war over health care comes at a time when the number of uninsured Americans has risen by 2.2 million over the last year. The number of uninsured kids has increased by over half-a-million.

Now is not the time to turn our backs to the uninsured, and it is critical that we send a message to Congress and the President to stand strong for children’s health. 

Sign the petition for kids health today! Click here.

[1][1] Ricks, Thomas E. "Bush Wants $50 Billion More for Iraq War." Washington Post, August 29 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/28/AR2007082801984.html

Are You Really Ready?

Why It Matters...

 

· In the past 6 years America has experienced two major catastrophes--9/11 and Hurricane Katrina--as well as numerous smaller disasters all around the country.

 

· Being prepared for large-scale emergencies can prevent injuries and save lives.

   

September is National Preparedness Month and during this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security urges all Americans to take some simple steps to become better prepared for emergencies of all kinds--from terrorist attacks to devastating natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes.

 

They urge you to take four simple steps this month. Homeland Security says everyone should:

 

.Put together an emergency supply kit that will allow them and their families to survive for at least 3 days in the event of an emergency.

 

.Develop a family emergency plan that outlines all the steps a family needs to take in a devastating emergency that could require the evacuation of home and hometown.

 

.Learn more about different threats that could affect the community and the appropriate responses to each of them.

 

.Get trained in first aid and emergency response, and get involved in preparing the community for a catastrophic event.

 

For more information about each of these steps, suggest employees see the national preparedness website at www.ready.gov.

 

Take some time to talk about the emergency supply kit. The government says that everyone should have enough supplies in their homes to meet the needs of themselves and their families for at least 3 days. And each family should have an emergency supply kit to take with them in the event they are forced to leave their homes. What should those kits contain? Here are just a few essential items:

 

• Battery radio, flashlight, and extra      batteries
• Water (1 gallon a day per person) and      canned or dried food
• Blankets or sleeping bags and clothes
• First-aid kit
• Hygiene supplies (soap, toothpaste,      etc.)
• Prescription medications
• Map of evacuation routes out of town
• Important phone numbers and other      information (bank account numbers, insurance policies, etc.)
• Cash and travelers checks (in case      credit cards are not accepted)

 

See the national preparedness website for a complete list of items.

Be Prepared and Have a SAFE week -
For a personal safety training class for yourself, your business or your organization - click HERE and schedule one TODAY!