Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Peace4 Missing Loved Ones Calendar
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES:
Roxanne Paltauf: January 3, 1988
William "Billy" Smolinski: January 14, 1973
Randy Spring: January 25, 1960
DATES WENT MISSING
Amy Fitzpatrick: January 1, 2008
April Susanne Wiss: January 11, 2000
Jason Scott Adkins: January 18, 1999
Bradley Olsen: January 20, 2007
Jeff Renaud: Janaury 26, 2009
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Amy Fitzpatrick: Febuary 7, 1992
Stacey Grater: Febuary 17, 1970
Jesse Ross: Febuary 18, 1987
Branson Perry: Febuary 24, 1981
Rachel Troyer: Febuary 27, 1991
DATES WENT MISSING
Tina Sinclair: Febuary 4, 2001
Bethany Sinclair: Febuary 4, 2001
Julian R Kirchoff: Febuary 8, 2007
Jeramy Burt: Febuary 11, 2007
Stacey Grater: Febuary 18, 2006
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Corey P Robinson: March 6, 1986
Mary Badaracco: March 11, 1946
Ryan Chambers: March 20, 1984
Jon Van Dyke: March 31, 1946
DATES WENT MISSING
Suzanne Lyall: March 2, 1998
Brian Roy Barton: March 10, 2005
Rachel Conger: March 13, 2008
Jessie Foster: March 29, 2006
Faye Aline Self: March 30, 1983
ENTERED INTO ETERNAL LIFE
Joyce Darlene Patterson: March 1, 2007
RE-UNITED WITH THEIR FAMILY
Rachel Troyer: March 2009
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Jason Scott Adkins: April 1, 1975
Bradley Olsen: April 4, 1980
Suzanne Lyall: April 5, 1978
Samantha Burns: April 23, 1983
DATES WENT MISSING
Dr. Jarrett Burton: April 4, 2007
Branson Perry: April 11, 2001
Travis Baker: April 14, 2007
Awesome MySpace Graphics & Myspace Layouts
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Alice Donovan: May 7, 1958
Mystic Dawn Salazar: May 23, 2002
Jessie Foster: May 27, 1984
DATES WENT MISSING
Trevor Morse: May 6, 2007
Luke Durbin: May 12, 2006
Sigourney Chisolm: May 17, 1993
Kenny Naidas Jr: May 18, 2005
Jon Van Dyke: May 19, 2005
Brandy Hanna: May 20, 2005
'Charles' Karoly John HORVATH-ALLAN: May 26, 1989
Myspace 2.0 layouts & Myspace Layouts
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Jeramy Burt: June 18, 1973
Melanie Metheny: June 21, 1985
Lisa Marie Shuttleworth: June 25, 1969
Kenny Naidas Jr: June 25, 1981
DATES WENT MISSING
Benjamin Lund: June 13, 2005
Jasmine Haslag: June 17, 2007
Donna Jou: June 24, 2007
ENTERED ETERNAL LIFE
Cory P Robinson: June 2, 2005
Myspace 2.0 layouts & Myspace Layouts
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Travis Baker: July 10, 1987
Tom R Starkle: July 15, 1960
Joyce Darlene Patterson: July 18, 1956
Lisa Michelle Hatchell: July 19, 1966
Jasmine Haslag: July 19, 1975
WENT MISSING
Roxanne Paltauf: July 7, 2006
Brian Sullivan: July 8, 2007
Diana Lynn Harris: July 15, 1981
Lisa Michelle Hatchell: July 19, 2003
Melanie Metheny: July 19, 2006
MySpace Graphics & Myspace Layouts
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Jeff Renaud: August 5, 1988
Brian Roy Barton: August 6, 1979
Christopher Robin Coan: August 6, 1989
Julian R Kirchoff: August 10, 1984
Tommy Oechslin: August 16th
Benjamin Lund: August 18, 1985
'Charles' Karoly John HORVATH-ALLAN: August 21, 1968
WENT MISSING
Cynthia Louise Day: August 10,1990
Brandy Hall: August 17, 2006
Mystic Dawn Salazar: August 17, 2008
Mary Badaracco: August 18, 1984
William "Billy" Smolinski: August 24, 2004
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
April Susanne Wiss: September 1, 1983
Brandy Hall: September 14, 1973
Sigourney Chisolm: September 20, 1991
WENT MISSING
Christopher Robin Coan: September 3, 2007
Lisa Marie Shuttleworth: September 4, 2003
Diane Prevost: September 17, 1966
Tommy Oechslin: September 24, 2008
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Diana Lynn Harris: October 6, 1953
Rachel Conger: October 11, 1977
Karen Jo Smith: October 12, 1965
Donna Jou: October 14, 1987
Bethany Sinclair: October 15, 1985
Faye Aline Self: October 18, 1956
Trevor Morse: October 20, 1976
WENT MISSING
Rachel Troyer: October 3, 2008
Randy Spring: October 10, 1988
Dylan Koshman: October 10, 2008
Leona Kinsey: October 25, 1999
Myspace 2.0 layouts & Myspace Layouts
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Gina Bos: November 4, 1959
Melissa Dawn Heath: November 5, 1990
Carlos Diaz: November 10, 1954
Cynthia Louise Day: November 11, 1952
Brandy Hanna: November 16, 1972
Dr.Jarrett Burton: November 21, 1948
Tina Sinclair: November 29, 1966
WENT MISSING
Jason Roark: November 9, 2006
Samantha Burns: November 11, 2002
Alice Donovan: Novmeber 14, 2002
Jesse Ross: November 21, 2006
BIRTHDATES OF MISSING LOVED ONES
Luke Durbin: December 4, 1987
Brian Sullivan: December 5, 1987
Crystal Ann Fox: December 8, 1979
Jason Roark: December 11, 1979
Leona Kinsey: December 15, 1953
Brenda Lambert: December 26, 1969
WENT MISSING
Melissa Dawn Heath: December 4, 2007
Tom R Starkel: December 5, 1979
Carlos Diaz: December 23, 1986
Karen Jo Smith: December 27, 2000
Crystal Ann Fox: December 30, 2008
Faye Aline Self, Monday4 the Missing
What better way to honor her missing mother than being a voice for not only Faye Aline Self, but for many other victims of crime in Louisiana as well. Please join daughter Karrie and all of us at Peace4 the Missing as we do our best to bring light to the darkness surrounding the case of Faye Aline Self and all the others.
Fight For The Victims, March 30!
written by daughter, Karrie
As you all know, My family has been begging the Red River Sheriff's Department for justice for nearly 26 years. March 30, 2009, will mark the 26th years I have been without my mother. I grew up in the shadow of a phantom mother and with the vivid imagination only a child can have. It took my child like mind six years to actual conjure up the thought, she might be dead. With this in mind, I still do not know where she is, or where her remains lay. I desperately want to bring Justice to Louisiana since finding my mother has never been a priority. If it were just her case, I would think it were an anomaly. But, it is apparently the standard by which most cases are handled in the state. Below is what I am using as a cover letter to send to every Federal and Louisiana Authority I can think of. Please join me in being a voice for the countless victims in the State of Louisiana. You may contact any agency directly, or send your notes: whokilledthem@yahoo.com.
I have also attached a list of victims from Louisiana, This in no way encompasses every unsolved case in the state, however, it is a sobering look at the daily reality a victims family lives through daily.
Thanks ahead of time for your compassion and help for the victims!
I am appealing to you to help those in your state that can no longer help themselves. I am referring to the staggering number of unsolved missing and murdered cases in the state of Louisiana. My mother, FAYE ALINE SELF, disappeared from Red River Parish March 30, 1983. As the letter that follows explains, we tried desperately to bring closure to her case, but have been met with resistance from the local Red River Sheriffs department to the Louisiana Attorney General's office. In the years I have spent researching my mom's case, I have come across countless cases that could very well be my own. Judy Gary, vanished in 1988, and her family was also denied the opportunity to file a missing persons report. This in itself is not a crime, though it certainly should be. I have been told many times that there is no one has jurisdiction over police. And, I must first prove that the local police committed a crime. The loss of evidence and other things listed in my letter are not illegal as of yet. It has been told to me, that it is a shame, but incompetence is not illegal and in the smaller parishes this sometimes happens! It was further explained to me that when the smaller parishes can not afford to hold a murder trial, it is easier to call a case a 'suicide' or 'self defense' to save Parish funding.
I kindly remind you that Jesus, Our Savior was moved to compassion for the masses. I am only asking that you and those of us with murdered and missing loved ones stand together to combat the air of corruption that has surrounded the state of Louisiana for so long.
I humbly ask that you look at the list of unsolved cases I have included here and pray for guidance in the laws and procedures that need to be changed for the betterment of the citizens of Louisiana. This list in no way encompasses all of the unsolved missing and murdered, but it is a sobering look at the reality that so many of us face daily.
I eagerly await your reply.
Respectfully,
VICTIM LIST
1956, Audrey Moate, St. John the Baptist Parish1996, Lurline H DeWitt, De Soto Parish1997, Syble Brumley, De Soto ParishConstance Anderson, De Soto ParishDeshanna Gray, De Soto ParishAlicia Strathers, Livingston Parish1992, Wilda Mae Benoit, Cameron Parish1987, Vicki Carriere, Jefferson Parish1991, James Cary Smith, Jefferson Parish1993, Walter Lee Brown, Jefferson ParishHeather Renee' SkarinaCory RubioLynn Chaisson, Jennings, LA.Ernestine Marien DAniel Patterson, Jennings, LA.Kristen Gary Lopez, Jennings, LA.Laconia Shontel Brown, Jennings, LA.Crystal Shay Benoit Zino, Jennings, LA.Hannah Griffith, Red River ParishBrittney Gary, Jefferson ParishMisty Lynn GuilloryBabette Alberti Philips, Jefferson Parish1988, Judy Ann Gary, 1986, St. Martin's Parish1988, Rebecca Pauline Gary,Baton Rouge, LA.1983, Faye Aline Self, Red River Parish1983, Wanda Faye Hudson, Red River Parish1980, Katherine Hays, Red River Parish1984, Perry Casen1984, Corey Gilbert, Jefferson Parish1995, Johnny Babino, Jefferson Parish1998, SAndra Yvonne Strickland, Jefferson Parish1986, Londa Young, Calcasieu Parish1996, Anthony J. Cavet, E Baton Rouge Parish1991, Flora Tobin, Jefferson Parish1993, Tina Ledet, Jefferson Parish1996, Virginia Hollingsworth, Jefferson Parish1991, Rolando Schweikert, Jefferson Parish1992, Clarence Ruffin, Jefferson Parish1982, Emino Nakamura Murray, Jefferson Parish1991, Kathleen Robinson, Jefferson Parish1992, Joyce Kennedy, Jefferson Parish1999, Yasuko Guillory, Jefferson Parish2208, Joseph Shelton Jacob, Marksville2007, Candice Phillips, Lafayette2006, Clint Devon Nelson, Bossier2004, Amber Michwich Loftin, Shreveport1994, Kayla Mayberry, Shreveport1992, Kelly Dae Wilson, Gilmer, TX (West of Shreveport)2001, Gina Green, Baton Rouge2002, Murray Pace, Baton Rouge2002, Pam Kinamore2002, Dena Colomb1990, Averie Evans,12 years old, Natchitioches (confession by Phillip DSalle) to my knowledge her body has not been found.1986, Bambi Luann Brantley, Leesville, LA1980, William D Newman, St. Tammany Parish1989, Angela Pitz Smith, East Baton Rouge Parish1995, Edna Hoffman Freeman, Madison Parish1993, Nelda Louise Hardwick Calcasieu Parish1988, Manuel Vargas, Jefferson Parish1987, Rodney Steward, Jefferson Parish1986, Shriram Lele, Jefferson Parish1998, Pearl A Allen, 83 years old, LaSalle
Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Network and Support for families of Missing Persons and Victims of Crime
Fight For The Victims, March 30!
written by daughter, Karrie
As you all know, My family has been begging the Red River Sheriff's Department for justice for nearly 26 years. March 30, 2009, will mark the 26th years I have been without my mother. I grew up in the shadow of a phantom mother and with the vivid imagination only a child can have. It took my child like mind six years to actual conjure up the thought, she might be dead. With this in mind, I still do not know where she is, or where her remains lay. I desperately want to bring Justice to Louisiana since finding my mother has never been a priority. If it were just her case, I would think it were an anomaly. But, it is apparently the standard by which most cases are handled in the state. Below is what I am using as a cover letter to send to every Federal and Louisiana Authority I can think of. Please join me in being a voice for the countless victims in the State of Louisiana. You may contact any agency directly, or send your notes: whokilledthem@yahoo.com.
I have also attached a list of victims from Louisiana, This in no way encompasses every unsolved case in the state, however, it is a sobering look at the daily reality a victims family lives through daily.
Thanks ahead of time for your compassion and help for the victims!
I am appealing to you to help those in your state that can no longer help themselves. I am referring to the staggering number of unsolved missing and murdered cases in the state of Louisiana. My mother, FAYE ALINE SELF, disappeared from Red River Parish March 30, 1983. As the letter that follows explains, we tried desperately to bring closure to her case, but have been met with resistance from the local Red River Sheriffs department to the Louisiana Attorney General's office. In the years I have spent researching my mom's case, I have come across countless cases that could very well be my own. Judy Gary, vanished in 1988, and her family was also denied the opportunity to file a missing persons report. This in itself is not a crime, though it certainly should be. I have been told many times that there is no one has jurisdiction over police. And, I must first prove that the local police committed a crime. The loss of evidence and other things listed in my letter are not illegal as of yet. It has been told to me, that it is a shame, but incompetence is not illegal and in the smaller parishes this sometimes happens! It was further explained to me that when the smaller parishes can not afford to hold a murder trial, it is easier to call a case a 'suicide' or 'self defense' to save Parish funding.
I kindly remind you that Jesus, Our Savior was moved to compassion for the masses. I am only asking that you and those of us with murdered and missing loved ones stand together to combat the air of corruption that has surrounded the state of Louisiana for so long.
I humbly ask that you look at the list of unsolved cases I have included here and pray for guidance in the laws and procedures that need to be changed for the betterment of the citizens of Louisiana. This list in no way encompasses all of the unsolved missing and murdered, but it is a sobering look at the reality that so many of us face daily.
I eagerly await your reply.
Respectfully,
VICTIM LIST
1956, Audrey Moate, St. John the Baptist Parish1996, Lurline H DeWitt, De Soto Parish1997, Syble Brumley, De Soto ParishConstance Anderson, De Soto ParishDeshanna Gray, De Soto ParishAlicia Strathers, Livingston Parish1992, Wilda Mae Benoit, Cameron Parish1987, Vicki Carriere, Jefferson Parish1991, James Cary Smith, Jefferson Parish1993, Walter Lee Brown, Jefferson ParishHeather Renee' SkarinaCory RubioLynn Chaisson, Jennings, LA.Ernestine Marien DAniel Patterson, Jennings, LA.Kristen Gary Lopez, Jennings, LA.Laconia Shontel Brown, Jennings, LA.Crystal Shay Benoit Zino, Jennings, LA.Hannah Griffith, Red River ParishBrittney Gary, Jefferson ParishMisty Lynn GuilloryBabette Alberti Philips, Jefferson Parish1988, Judy Ann Gary, 1986, St. Martin's Parish1988, Rebecca Pauline Gary,Baton Rouge, LA.1983, Faye Aline Self, Red River Parish1983, Wanda Faye Hudson, Red River Parish1980, Katherine Hays, Red River Parish1984, Perry Casen1984, Corey Gilbert, Jefferson Parish1995, Johnny Babino, Jefferson Parish1998, SAndra Yvonne Strickland, Jefferson Parish1986, Londa Young, Calcasieu Parish1996, Anthony J. Cavet, E Baton Rouge Parish1991, Flora Tobin, Jefferson Parish1993, Tina Ledet, Jefferson Parish1996, Virginia Hollingsworth, Jefferson Parish1991, Rolando Schweikert, Jefferson Parish1992, Clarence Ruffin, Jefferson Parish1982, Emino Nakamura Murray, Jefferson Parish1991, Kathleen Robinson, Jefferson Parish1992, Joyce Kennedy, Jefferson Parish1999, Yasuko Guillory, Jefferson Parish2208, Joseph Shelton Jacob, Marksville2007, Candice Phillips, Lafayette2006, Clint Devon Nelson, Bossier2004, Amber Michwich Loftin, Shreveport1994, Kayla Mayberry, Shreveport1992, Kelly Dae Wilson, Gilmer, TX (West of Shreveport)2001, Gina Green, Baton Rouge2002, Murray Pace, Baton Rouge2002, Pam Kinamore2002, Dena Colomb1990, Averie Evans,12 years old, Natchitioches (confession by Phillip DSalle) to my knowledge her body has not been found.1986, Bambi Luann Brantley, Leesville, LA1980, William D Newman, St. Tammany Parish1989, Angela Pitz Smith, East Baton Rouge Parish1995, Edna Hoffman Freeman, Madison Parish1993, Nelda Louise Hardwick Calcasieu Parish1988, Manuel Vargas, Jefferson Parish1987, Rodney Steward, Jefferson Parish1986, Shriram Lele, Jefferson Parish1998, Pearl A Allen, 83 years old, LaSalle
Network and Support for families of Missing Persons and Victims of Crime
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Susan Murphy Milano, Expert Relationship Strategist, Advocate, Author
Moving out, Moving on , is more then a simple workbook, but a true plan to take control of one’s life and face the future head on. This is not just another “divorce book” written by a so called “expert.”
Moving out, Moving on , is authored by a person who truly knows…Susan Murphy-Milano.
For all the latest information about Susan, please visit her website! http://www.susanmurphymilano.com
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DOWNLOAD EBOOK HERE!
Seriously, if you, or anyone you know is going through the breakup of a relationship, this book can save you thousands and possibly your life!
Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Moving out, Moving on , is authored by a person who truly knows…Susan Murphy-Milano.
For all the latest information about Susan, please visit her website! http://www.susanmurphymilano.com
DOWNLOAD EBOOK HERE!
Seriously, if you, or anyone you know is going through the breakup of a relationship, this book can save you thousands and possibly your life!
Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Friday, March 27, 2009
HR632 NATIONAL Silver Alert Act and Kristen's Act Reauthorization SUMMARY
Passing this bill would mean many things to benefit missing adults in our country. The Silver Alert has been successful in the states that have it and we need it to be national like the Amber Alert for children. This bill would also allocate funding for many organizations to educate, advocate and provide assistance to families trying to locate a missing loved one.SUMMARY AS OF:
2/10/2009--Passed House without amendment. (There is 1 other summary)
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Title I: Silver Alert Communications Network - National Silver Alert Act 2009 - (Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to establish a national Silver Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors in coordination with states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies. Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported to, or identified by, a law enforcement agency as a missing person and who meets state requirements for designation.
(Sec. 104) Directs the Attorney General to designate a DOJ employee as the National Coordinator of the Silver Alert communications network. Sets forth the duties of the Coordinator, including the establishment of voluntary guidelines for states to use in developing Silver Alert plans, the development of protocols for efforts to recover missing seniors and for notifying law enforcement agencies that a senior is missing, and the establishment of an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities involved in the network.
Directs the Coordinator to: (1) report to Congress annually on the Coordinator's activities and the effectiveness and status of the Silver Alert plans of each state; (2) establish minimum standards for the issuance of alerts through the network; (3) make available to states, local governments, law enforcement and other agencies training and educational programs and materials; and (4) coordinate training and educational activities with the Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) and the head of the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program within DOJ.
(Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Silver Alert communications network.
(Sec. 108) Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to states for the development and enhancement of state programs and activities to support Silver Alert plans and the network. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013
Title II: Kristen's Act Reauthorization - Kristen's Act Reauthorization of 2009 - (Sec. 203) Directs the Attorney General to make competitive grants to public agencies or nonprofit private organizations to: (1) maintain a national resource center and information clearinghouse for missing and unidentified adults; (2) maintain a national, interconnected database to track missing adults endangered due to age, diminished mental capacity, or the the circumstances of disappearance, when foul play is suspected or circumstances are unknown; (3) coordinate public and private programs that locate or recover missing adults; (4) provide assistance and training to law enforcement agencies, state and local governments, and other agencies involved with missing adults; (5) provide assistance to families in locating and recovering missing adults; and (6) assist in public notification and victim advocacy related to missing adults.
Requires the Attorney General to: (1) periodically solicit applications for grants using the Federal Register and the DOJ website; (2) coordinate federally-funded programs relating to missing adults; and (3) encourage coordination among grant recipients.
For a complete list of all the members names, addresses, and phone numbers of the Senate Judiciary Committee, please go to the link. Please make your voices heard for those who no longer have a voice. These Senators hold this bill in their hands!
Peace4 the Missing Legislation Group
Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Myra Spearman's Web site exposes perpetrators of domestic abuse
BY JULIA VERSAU
Times Correspondent | Monday, March 23, 2009 |
Myra Spearman, 43, and the mother of four, spent years in a painful relationship that sapped her energy, her money and her spirit. Her perseverance in spite of it is an inspiration to the hundreds of women who send e-mails via the Web site she created to help other women.
Her site, theweakervessel.org, is a database of persons, male and female, from three states convicted of domestic abuse and violence. Spearman created the site as a resource for people, especially women, to take an extra step to help themselves.
One of the first women to contact Spearman was Cherry Simpson, the Will County, Ill., mother of domestic-abuse victim Regan Martin, whose story recently was told on the Chicago Tribune's front page.
"Myra is doing what the government should be doing," Simpson said.
"We're working on a federal bill now that would do the same for domestic abusers that citizens got for sex offenders. Women shouldn't be in the dark about who these people are."
Simpson's daughter has spent years trying to flee domestic abuse. Though her spouse was convicted multiple times of crimes including abuse, stalking and ignoring orders of protection, the fact that Regan and her ex-husband have children entails perennial contact and visitation that exposes Regan's whereabouts.
"You can't get lost, even if you try," Simpson said.
"At least with Web sites like Myra's, other women can get some help in avoiding known abusers right from the start."
Spearman's Web site, which allows people to access records by state and by name, currently tracks information from public court records in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Not all convicted abusers are listed, but the database grows as Spearman receives replies and records from the courts she contacts daily. She now is at work getting full records of domestic-abuse convictions in Cook County, Ill.
The Web site includes a blog where women share their stories and give aid and comfort, as well as information.
Most heartbreaking are the e-mails Spearman receives from women throughout the country living in abusive relationships. They write to cheer Spearman on, and leave messages like this one: "Thank you for your Web site. I wish I could send money to help, but I am broke from trying to divorce my abusive husband."
And this one: "What if we know an abuser, and his name is not on the list?" And this long e-mail from an Illinois woman:
"I saw your newscast this morning. Please, I want to help. I am a domestic-abuse survivor. I was recently treated for PTSD from abuse that had happened 13 years ago. I was treated those years as if I was the perp, not the victim.
"I was humiliated while laying in the hospital with a concussion and bruises. I, as you, lived in fear, with no help from that piece of paper called a restraining order. His crimes against me were called a misdemeanor. He might as well have blown off a stop light. Please, again, I really would like to help you spread the word. The legal system may not be strong enough to help these people but if we all band together, I know we can make a difference. I want to be part of that chain, not only for my recovery and my children but for others out there who are on the battle lines alone and scared."
A spate of stories in the news, including Regan's, recently has put a fine focus on domestic violence. There's a lawsuit involving the dating site match.com (a woman claims injury because the site does not screen for known abusers), as well as the January deaths of Nova Henry (former girlfriend of ex-Bulls player Eddy Curry) and her infant daughter at the hands of a boyfriend against whom Henry had what turned out to be a worthless restraining order.
"There are thousands of homicides every year and even more reports of injuries and abuse," Spearman said.
"If I can save even one woman from experiencing what I did, all the effort will have been worthwhile."
Abuse by the numbers
* One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
* An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year; 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women.
* The costs of intimate-partner violence exceed $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.
* Victims of intimate-partner violence lose almost 8 million days of paid work because of the violence perpetrated against them by current or former boyfriends, husbands or dates; the loss is equivalent to more than 32,000 full-time jobs and almost 5.6 million days of household productivity.
* There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million in medically treated injuries due to intimate-partner violence annually.
Source: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ncadv.org.
Teen abuse
Because abuse of women often starts at an early age when young people are dating, women like Jennifer Gescheidler Kandalec of Dyer, profiled in The Times on Feb. 21, 2009, are trying to educate women still in their teens.
Kandalec is the Indiana leader for Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse, or, MADE. The Lake Central High School graduate is working to see that Indiana schools include education on dating-violence prevention in middle and high school health classes. For more information, loveisnotabuse.com/MADE.
Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Times Correspondent | Monday, March 23, 2009 |
Myra Spearman, 43, and the mother of four, spent years in a painful relationship that sapped her energy, her money and her spirit. Her perseverance in spite of it is an inspiration to the hundreds of women who send e-mails via the Web site she created to help other women.
Her site, theweakervessel.org, is a database of persons, male and female, from three states convicted of domestic abuse and violence. Spearman created the site as a resource for people, especially women, to take an extra step to help themselves.
One of the first women to contact Spearman was Cherry Simpson, the Will County, Ill., mother of domestic-abuse victim Regan Martin, whose story recently was told on the Chicago Tribune's front page.
"Myra is doing what the government should be doing," Simpson said.
"We're working on a federal bill now that would do the same for domestic abusers that citizens got for sex offenders. Women shouldn't be in the dark about who these people are."
Simpson's daughter has spent years trying to flee domestic abuse. Though her spouse was convicted multiple times of crimes including abuse, stalking and ignoring orders of protection, the fact that Regan and her ex-husband have children entails perennial contact and visitation that exposes Regan's whereabouts.
"You can't get lost, even if you try," Simpson said.
"At least with Web sites like Myra's, other women can get some help in avoiding known abusers right from the start."
Spearman's Web site, which allows people to access records by state and by name, currently tracks information from public court records in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Not all convicted abusers are listed, but the database grows as Spearman receives replies and records from the courts she contacts daily. She now is at work getting full records of domestic-abuse convictions in Cook County, Ill.
The Web site includes a blog where women share their stories and give aid and comfort, as well as information.
Most heartbreaking are the e-mails Spearman receives from women throughout the country living in abusive relationships. They write to cheer Spearman on, and leave messages like this one: "Thank you for your Web site. I wish I could send money to help, but I am broke from trying to divorce my abusive husband."
And this one: "What if we know an abuser, and his name is not on the list?" And this long e-mail from an Illinois woman:
"I saw your newscast this morning. Please, I want to help. I am a domestic-abuse survivor. I was recently treated for PTSD from abuse that had happened 13 years ago. I was treated those years as if I was the perp, not the victim.
"I was humiliated while laying in the hospital with a concussion and bruises. I, as you, lived in fear, with no help from that piece of paper called a restraining order. His crimes against me were called a misdemeanor. He might as well have blown off a stop light. Please, again, I really would like to help you spread the word. The legal system may not be strong enough to help these people but if we all band together, I know we can make a difference. I want to be part of that chain, not only for my recovery and my children but for others out there who are on the battle lines alone and scared."
A spate of stories in the news, including Regan's, recently has put a fine focus on domestic violence. There's a lawsuit involving the dating site match.com (a woman claims injury because the site does not screen for known abusers), as well as the January deaths of Nova Henry (former girlfriend of ex-Bulls player Eddy Curry) and her infant daughter at the hands of a boyfriend against whom Henry had what turned out to be a worthless restraining order.
"There are thousands of homicides every year and even more reports of injuries and abuse," Spearman said.
"If I can save even one woman from experiencing what I did, all the effort will have been worthwhile."
Abuse by the numbers
* One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
* An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year; 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women.
* The costs of intimate-partner violence exceed $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.
* Victims of intimate-partner violence lose almost 8 million days of paid work because of the violence perpetrated against them by current or former boyfriends, husbands or dates; the loss is equivalent to more than 32,000 full-time jobs and almost 5.6 million days of household productivity.
* There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million in medically treated injuries due to intimate-partner violence annually.
Source: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ncadv.org.
Teen abuse
Because abuse of women often starts at an early age when young people are dating, women like Jennifer Gescheidler Kandalec of Dyer, profiled in The Times on Feb. 21, 2009, are trying to educate women still in their teens.
Kandalec is the Indiana leader for Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse, or, MADE. The Lake Central High School graduate is working to see that Indiana schools include education on dating-violence prevention in middle and high school health classes. For more information, loveisnotabuse.com/MADE.
Please join us at Peace4 the MissingMissing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Monday4 the Missing, Jessie Foster
Jessie's Mom, Glendene is a member of Peace4 the Missing, her precious daughter Jessie Foster will be missing for three years as of March 29th. Please take a very good look at her photo, read her story and please come forward with or look for any information that might help bring this much loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend home to her family who so desperately misses and needs her.
Thank you for putting my beautiful daughter, Jessie Foster's birthday, May 27, 1984. If March 29, 2009 gets here without me finding my international endangered missing / human trafficking victim daughter, then it will be 3 years since she disappeared. I last saw her when she was 21, since then she turned 22, 23, 24 and will be 25 this year. JESSIE I WILL FIND YOU, MY DARLING DAUGHTER, OR DIE TRYING, Love Mom.
Jessie disappeared from North Las Vegas, Nevada between March 28th and April 3rd, 2006. · She was last seen at 1009 Cornerstone Place with her “boyfriend”Peter Todd. Peter, a pimp, has a prior conviction for spousal assault. · Prior to her disappearance Jessie traveled to Nevada, New York and Florida with Donald Vaz. · She was recruited in Calgary by Yvonne Hubrechtsen to work in Las Vegas. · Jessie may have fallen victim to an international human trafficking ring.
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Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaEmail: Glendene Grant & Jim Hoflin |
Jessie’s National Crime Identification Number: M-535642358 |
Investigators, Las Vegas Nevada$50,000 Reward for Information |
Las Vegas CrimestoppersDetective Mike HopePhone: (702) 385-5555Toll Free: (800) 222-8477Web: Nevada Crimestoppers |
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
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