Category: Sexual Violence

(Green Bay, Wis.) – Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Excellence in Advocacy Award. The award is presented annually in April to community professionals who respond to victims of sexual assault and/or child maltreatment in Northeast Wisconsin. Recipients must demonstrate dedication, leadership, and action to have a positive effect on survivors and their families as they heal and move forward.

Out of the nearly 30 nominations that were submitted, this year’s chosen recipients are Marinette County Victim/Witness Coordinator Mary Falkenberg and Green Bay Police Detective John Peters.

“I am thrilled to recognize John and Mary as our Excellence in Advocacy Award winners,” said Lois Mischler, President and CEO of Family Services. “Our communities are safer and systems of reporting these crimes are more survivor focused because of their incredible work and the partnerships they provide.”

Falkenberg has more than 30 years of experience assisting victims of sexual assault. She is the only victim/witness coordinator in Marinette County and has worked closely with the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services to make sure that victims get the support they need. Those who nominated Falkenberg describe her as “a force of support,” and “a rich resource who leads with more than just policy and procedure, but with such heart and compassion.” Colleagues also noted Falkenberg’s continued commitment to her work during a personal health battle with cancer, stating, “even when [Mary] was going through chemo, her dedication to victims still held strong.”

Detective Peters will be honored specifically for his work on Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC). For nearly 10 years, Peters has dedicated himself to the investigation of child exploitation and child pornography online while also taking the time to educate children, teens and parents about the dangers that exist. Colleagues and community partners noted in their nominations that Peters is “someone who treats each case as if the child was his own.” They also noted the impact of his work, stating “If not for the arrest of these offenders, they would no doubt continue to seek images of exploited children.”

Both Falkenberg and Peters will be honored during a private reception with fellow nominees, community partners, friends and family members in May.

(Green Bay, Wis.) – The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is partnering with four county courthouses and numerous local businesses to “Paint the Town Teal” all April long, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Teal is the color of Sexual Assault Awareness.

Starting April 1, 2022, the courthouses in Brown, Door, Oconto, and Marinette Counties will each display a 3-foot tall, teal wooden ribbon on the courthouse grounds. The ribbons will serve as a reminder of the free and confidential support that the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services provides in each of the four counties.

A number of local businesses will also display teal chalk ribbons in their windows and shop fronts, including Luna Café in Bellevue and De Pere, El Bistro Taco in Ashwaubenon, and The Shoppe on Main in Oconto. The Jim Kress Marinette Museum in Sturgeon Bay will also be lit up teal the evening of April 1, 2022. Several coffee shops and other businesses will help to raise awareness with teal coffee sleeves and teal specialty drinks.

Sexual Assault Center advocates say these partnerships are critical to showing survivors that the community cares and help is available.

“The initiative is for people in positions of power to use platforms to create safe spaces,” said Chelsey Steffens, victim advocate with the Sexual Assault Center. “When we have a community willing to use their circle of influence to support a cause that we know affects a large amount of the general public, we discourage violence and uplift hope.”

Last year, the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services served 1,189 survivors in Brown, Door, Oconto and Marinette Counties. Nearly half were children under the age of 18. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bilingual staff are also available to provide culturally specific services to survivors in the Hispanic and Southeast Asian communities. You can find the hotline number for each county served by the Sexual Assault Center at www.familyservicesnew.org/sexual-assault-center.

“Many survivors do not tell anyone about the abuse, and 75% of incidents go unreported to law enforcement,” said Holli Fisher, Sexual Assault Center Program Manager. “It’s essential that survivors know they can receive confidential, non-judgmental support from trained advocates to develop a plan for safety, empowering them as they heal from their trauma.”

For more information about the “Paint the Town Teal” effort or to join as a partner, contact Chelsey Steffens at [email protected].

(Green Bay, Wis) – The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is proud to announce the results of its Smartphone & Tablet Recycling Drive held Feb. 23-24, 2022 in conjunction with Give BIG Green Bay.

Dozens of community members took action to help keep kids safe online by dropping off their old, unused devices. A total of 16 tablets, 111 smartphones and a handful of other devices were recycled to ensure that children and teens would not be able to use them to gain unsupervised access to social media and other apps. Such access can put kids at risk of being targeted for child exploitation or abuse by predators online.

“We are incredibly grateful that so many from our community took the effort to discard unused electronics in the home,” said Holli Fisher, Program Manager for the Sexual Assault Center. “This will reduce the chance that kids will be exposed to potential perpetrators online.”

The idea for the drive came in part from the Sexual Assault Center staff and their work with victims of online abuse, harassment and human trafficking. But also, from one staff member’s personal experience as a parent whose child was found to be using an unmonitored device to access the internet.

Fisher says removing old devices from the home that can still connect to Wi-Fi is a simple step that any adult can take, at any time, to reduce child exploitation.

For more resources on the steps you can take to promote internet safety and prevent child exploitation online, please check out the following links:

• How Human Traffickers are Reaching Kids Online
• Internet Safety in the Age of Virtual Learning
• Common Sense Media (Online Resources for Parents)
• Internet Matters (Online Resources for Parents)

(Green Bay, Wis) – Give BIG Green Bay is just a couple of days away. The 24-hour online giving day put on by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and Green Bay Packers Give Back starts at noon on Feb. 23 and ends at noon on Feb. 24.

Family Services and its Sexual Assault Center staff have been working hard behind the scenes to create an exciting and inspiring experience for members of the community to engage with our work and help support the survivors we serve.

Together, we aim to raise $60,000 for the Sexual Assault Center to keep its services thriving. But, it’s going to take all of us working together on behalf of those who have experienced sexual assault, abuse or human trafficking to meet our goal.

Whether you choose to donate, share our cause with others, or simply tune in to learn more about our work, it would mean the world to us and our clients to have your support!

You can support us and the other great participating nonprofits at www.givebiggreenbay.org. Thanks to a grant from Green Bay Packers Give Back, every donation made will go even further!

If you haven’t already, please like and follow the Sexual Assault Center on Facebook and Instagram for motivating and inspiring challenges throughout the day, as well as live updates about everything that’s happening.

The Sexual Assault Center will also be hosting a Smartphone & Tablet Recycling in conjunction with its Give BIG campaign, during regular business hours. The drive is aimed at removing old devices from homes to help prevent children and teens from gaining unsupervised access to the internet and social media. Click here to learn more about the drive and our drop-off sites.

(Green Bay, Wis) – The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is inviting parents, caregivers and other community members to drop off their old smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices, Feb. 23-24 to have them recycled for free.

The event is aimed at preventing children and teens from gaining unsupervised access to the internet and is being held in conjunction with the center’s Give BIG Green Bay campaign. Many of the old devices in our junk drawers can still connect to Wi-Fi. With that, kids and teens can use them to gain unsupervised access to social media and messaging apps. This can put them at risk of predators online.

“My hope is that this drive will raise awareness of a simple step parents can take to further ensure their child’s safety,” said Tana Koss, Vice President of programming at Family Services.

Koss says the idea for the drive came in part from the Sexual Assault Center staff and their work with victims of online abuse, harassment and human trafficking. But also, from her own experience as a parent whose child was found to be using an unmonitored device to access the internet.

Holli Fisher, who manages the Sexual Assault Center, says awareness of the issue is key.

“Parents and caregivers play a critical role in protecting kids online. As soon as a child starts using a phone, mobile device or computer, it’s time to talk to them about online behavior and safety.”

Those wishing to drop off their old devices can place them in the collection box in the lobby of Family Services at 300 Crooks St, Green Bay, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24. Additional drop-off sites include Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Pulaski Police Department.

Accepted devices include iPods, smartphones, tablets and handheld gaming devices. Laptops or larger will not be accepted.

The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is one of 45 nonprofits selected to participate in Give BIG Green Bay. Those who wish to support their cause and others are encourage to go online and make a donation from noon to noon, Feb. 23-24 at www.givebiggreenbay.org.

To view full detail about the device drive or to help spread the word, download the event flyers in English and Spanish.

(Green Bay, Wis.) – The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is experiencing a shortage of volunteer advocates in Brown County. Volunteer advocates help maintain the center’s 24-hour hotline, which provides support for survivors of sexual assault, abuse or harassment and their loved ones.

At least 10 additional volunteers are needed to help on nights and weekends to ensure that no call goes unanswered. Last year, staff and volunteers of the Sexual Assault Center answered 1,690 hotline calls and provided support and resources to 1,189 individuals in Brown, Door, Oconto and Marinette Counties. Of the survivors served, 42% were under the age of 18.

“Volunteer advocates are a critical part of our program,” says Sexual Assault Center Supervisor Samantha Jurczykowski. “They ensure that victims of sexual assault receive the support they need.”

Volunteer advocates answer hotline calls and may also accompany victims to the hospital for a Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) and to the police department, if a victim chooses to report the assault. No experience is necessary but volunteers must be over the age of 18. Anyone interested in volunteering should call (920) 436-8899 or apply online using the form below or at https://www.familyservicesnew.org/get-involved. After applying, volunteers must complete the required training, which can be done at their own pace.

The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is one of 45 nonprofits selected to take part in Give BIG Green Bay this year. Those who are not able to volunteer but would still like to support the Sexual Assault Center with a donation are encouraged to visit www.givebiggreenbay.org and give to the Sexual Assault Center – and other local nonprofits – during the event, Feb. 23-24, noon to noon.

By Shelby Mitchell
Human Trafficking Advocate
Sexual Assault Center of Family Services

(Green Bay, Wis) – As we begin a new year, it is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and on the things that are going well. Family Services continues to provide the programs and services that our communities need while knowing how important it is that we be able to adapt our services as these needs change. The issue of human trafficking, for example, is driving the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services to find new ways to care for local survivors of sex trafficking and/or sexual exploitation.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and so it is a great time for us to talk about this vast topic and the trends that we are seeing nationally as well as in Northeast Wisconsin.

Technological Advances

We wouldn’t be able to address this topic without touching on a few other forms of violence that help to fuel it. One of the biggest issues is the ever-increasing advance of technology. From our phones to laptops and the apps we use, technology is growing at a faster rate than parents (or the law-making process) can keep up with. These lightning-speed advances give an upper hand to those who lean on technology to recruit and exploit others for their own financial gain.

Games that tend to attract children and teens are offering more ways to connect and engage will fellow gamers than ever before. These features, while great for connecting with friends, also open the door to predators giving them opportunity to form relationships with potential victims. These relationships, which often seem harmless as first, can set the stage  for future exploitation or abuse. Viral challenges and the ease of posting threats on social media sites like TikTok are another cause for concern.

For more information on these specific technology trends and more, please check out this article from Protect Young Eyes and follow them for up-to-date issues related to online technology and tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of online exploitation.

Pornography & Violence

While online recruitment on social media and apps have been gradually increasing over the last number of years, another issue has been around for many, many decades…pornography. Locally, the advocates at the Sexual Assault Center have been seeing a direct link to the viewing consumption of pornography and the link to sexual violence cases. Speaking very generally, the viewing of pornography can lead to an addiction. The more images and videos that someone watches, the more they become desensitized to it. This then leads to viewing pornography that is usually much more violent. After a while, that will no long satisfy the person viewing the pornography and we then see those people becoming “hands-on” offenders who felt the need to act out some of the scenes that they viewed in order to gain arousal.

In an article that was released by Fight the New Drug, they sight the findings of a study stating that “[Porn] consumption was indeed associated with sexual aggression in the United States and internationally, among males and females, and in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Associations were stronger for verbal than physical sexual aggression, although both were significant. The general pattern of results suggested that violent content may be an exacerbating factor.” The full article can be found at: https://fightthenewdrug.org/new-study-shows-that-watching-porn-is-linked-to-real-life-sexual-aggression/

At the Sexual Assault Center, we are working to educate the community and schools about sexual violence in all forms. We developed presentations on sexual abuse in youth/adults, internet safety, social media safety and most recently one on sexting (sending nude or partially nude photos via text) for students and parents. With these presentations being requested in schools across Brown, Door, Oconto and Marinette counties, we are also seeing the need for age appropriate education on the use of pornography as well.

How You Can Help

You can help prevent human trafficking by sharing factual information about sexual violence and information on where survivors can seek help. Donate to the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services to help us continue this critical education for parents, students and community members. Volunteer your time and talents. Follow @sacfsnew on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on the trends we are seeing, events you can attend and posts you can share to help amplify our message.

For more information, to donate or to complete a volunteer application, please visit https://www.familyservicesnew.org/get-involved#donate.  Donations can be directed to the Sexual Assault Center or the area of greatest need.

With your help, we can continue to Protect, Heal and Care for the communities we serve!

(Brown, Door, Marinette, Oconto, Wis.) – April 2021 marks 20 years of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services and its community partners in law enforcement are teaming up all month long to raise awareness of this issue and its impact on individuals across northeast Wisconsin.

Throughout April, teal ribbons will be displayed on the squad cars of 19 law enforcement agencies in Brown, Door, Marinette and Oconto counties. Teal is the color of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The ribbons signify the relationship between the Sexual Assault Center and law enforcement in responding to and protecting survivors.

“We are grateful that should victims choose to report their assault, law enforcement works diligently to keep victims safe from further harm and holds offenders accountable,” said Holli Fisher, program manager of the Sexual Assault Center in Brown County.  “The awareness ribbon magnets highlight the issue of sexual assault in our communities, and let victims know that we will support them.”

Participating agencies include:

• Ashwaubenon Public Safety
• Brown County Sheriff’s Office
• Coleman Police Department
• De Pere Police Department
• Door County Sheriff’s Department
• Gillett Police Department
• Green Bay Police Department
• Lena Police Department
• Marinette County Sheriff’s Department
• Marinette Police Department
• Pulaski Police Department
• Oconto County Sheriff’s Department
• Oconto Falls Police Department
• Oconto Police Department
• Sturgeon Bay Police Department
• Norbert College Campus Safety
• Suring Police Department
• University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Campus Safety
• Wrightstown Police Department

“We are committed to working with the Sexual Assault Center to educate, bring awareness, and work together to help protect victims and apprehend the suspects responsible for these crimes,” said Commander Kevin Warych of the Green Bay Police Department.

In 2020, the Sexual Assault Center assisted 1,453 survivors of sexual assault and sex trafficking. Its advocates work closely with law enforcement and other community partners to make sure victims get the help they need to begin the healing process. Services are free and confidential and include one-on-one support at the hospital and throughout the legal process. Advocates also provide information and access to support groups, as well as prevention education at schools and organizations throughout the community.

Click here to learn more about the Sexual Assault Center the services it provides.

By Daniela Santiago
Bilingual Victim Advocate
Sexual Assault Center

It is already difficult for a survivor of sexual assault to speak up and disclose what has happened to him or her. It is important to know that every survivor has the right to be supported physically, mentally and emotionally, and in any other manner that they may need, during and after a traumatic experience.

Below are 5 ways to show support to a survivor:

LISTEN. Let the survivor speak, do not rush them to conclusions or rush to provide them solutions. It is ok if there are moments of silence during the conversation. Survivors need time to process their thoughts and process what happened to them. Offer them emotional comfort and allow them to express their feelings.

BELIEVE. People rarely lie or exaggerate about abuse. Believe what the survivor is telling you. As it is, it already took a lot of courage for them to trust and talk to you about a sensitive part of their life.

REASSURE. Remind the survivor that what happened is NOT their fault. The perpetrator is the only person to blame. It does not matter what a victim wears, says, or does – no one ever deserves to be abused or harassed. Let them know that you will respect their privacy by keeping confidential what they tell you. If you do need to inform someone, be open with the victim about who you are going to be talking to, and what you are going to tell that individual(s).

ESTABLISH SAFETY. Help the survivor identify ways to re-establish his or her sense of physical and emotional safety. Ask what would make him/her feel safe and how you can help to accomplish this. Help connect the survivor to a national or local sexual assault hotline for resources and advocacy. If needed, help the survivor create a plan of what to do if he/she is in immediate danger.

ENCOURAGE. Encourage the survivor to seek medical attention when needed, report the assault, and/ or contact local sexual assault resources. Encourage the survivor to seek activities to help them recover and gain control of their life again. Remember to support the survivor’s decisions, as they are the expert in their life.

Sexual assault, abuse and harassment touches many lives. We know that it happens to children, adolescents, and adults. No matter what your situation is, the Sexual Assault Center is here to help. We provide free, confidential support to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to survivors in Brown, Door, Oconto and Marinette Counties. For more information about our services and how to contact us, please visit our webpage.

By Shelby Mitchell
Victim Advocate
Sexual Assault Center of Brown County

The topic of human trafficking can often be controversial one. Wherever you stand on this issue, it is important to know the facts and understand basic definitions.  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime defines human trafficking as any situation in which “force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control” are used to exploit another person. If any of these qualifiers are present, it’s human trafficking.

Many survivors of human trafficking are often subjected to multiple forms of exploitation, including pornographic images.

It has become incredibly common for me to hear from survivors in Northeast Wisconsin that their trafficker forced or coerced them into posing for sexually explicit photos. These images and other video content were then used to maintain control of that victim. Traffickers often share these images online and through various apps. They may also threaten to send the images to the victim’s family and friends. These methods of control further add to the shame that is already felt by many human trafficking survivors.

This type of exploitation is fueled by the increasing demand for nude images and other pornographic content on the web. Data from Webroot Cybersecurity estimates that 35% of all internet downloads are related to pornography. A study quoted in a recent article from Exodus Road also found that data aggregated from 400 million web searches revealed that the most popular term related to sexual searches was “youth.” Additionally, one of the most-searched terms on Pornhub, a popular porn website, is “teen.” This term has remained in their top 10 searches for six years.

If, at any point, a minor is used for commercial sexual exploitation that is human trafficking. Period.

Research has also raised the concern that some people who view pornography will eventually act on the physical desires that they have. This may result in a person paying someone to act out their desires with. This person may not understand that they have fueled the problem of human trafficking in two ways: first, through the consumption of online pornography and the second through in-person sex acts.

There are several things that we, as a society, can do to stop the sexual exploitation of others.

First, we have to say “no” to any content that depicts the exploitation of another human being — especially minors. This extends from the shows that we watch to the other materials we consume such as books, magazines and on social media.

If you see any images on social media that could depict the exploitation of another person’s body, report it. Reports can be made directly through the social media site or reported to the Cyber Tip Line at https://report.cybertip.org.

Another way you can help is by educating yourself on companies that profit from sexual exploitation. A list can be found at https://endsexualexploitation.org/ on the Dirty Dozen list. You can also educate others on the dangers of pornography and the connection to human trafficking. There are many online resources including: Endsexualexploitation.org, PolarisProject.org, Exodus Road, and Shared Hope International to name a few.

And lastly, please remember that any time pornography is produced and distributed at the expense of an individual against his/her will, human trafficking has occurred. Together, we can do our part to end sexual exploitation.

Additional Resources:

https://blog.theexodusroad.com/10-tools-to-keep-your-kids-safe-online

https://endsexualexploitation.org/

https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline

www.polarisproject.org