**You read that correctly – Empower Hour is moving to a quarterly format. Newsletters will be released every July, October, January, and April. Follow us on social media to keep up to date with the latest goings on!**
SHELTER NEEDS
- Sunblock with SPF
- Sunglasses
- Sun hats/visors
- Summer clothing for women (especially plus-sizes)
All donations are tax-deductible and can be dropped off at any one of our three locations in Berkeley, Jefferson, or Morgan County!
2020 DV/SA DAY @ THE LEGISLATURE!
Every year, representatives from EPEC travel to Charleston and speak with our legislators regarding relevant legislation that can aid victims of violence or potentially harm them. Now that the session has come to a close, take a look at what we’ve been up to!
Pictured, left to right: Katie Spriggs – Executive Director; Nicole Roehm – Morgan Co. Advocate; and Mary “MK” Francisco – Community Coordinator.
Legislative Updates
SB 308 – Creating criminal penalties for violation of orders issued for protection of victims of financial exploitation Creates a penalty for violation of this civil order that aims to empower vulnerable adults and caregivers/family of incapacitated adults to “stop the financial bleeding” when financial exploitation is taking place.
SB 125 – Prohibiting victim from being subjected to certain physical examinations for sexual offenses Prohibits the court from mandating a physical exam of any kind.
SB 201 – Criminal offenses of stalking and harassment Clarifies the definition of stalking, add harassment by electronic means, and incorporates remedies for stalking violations of Personal Safety Orders (now a felony offense). Updates will aid in arrests / prosecutions of this highly dangerous crime.
HB 4476 – Providing for the timely and efficient collection, submission, testing, retention, and disposition of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases This legislation would require direct submission of forensic evidence from the hospital to the forensic lab within 30 days of collection.
HB 4393 – Relating to making suffocation and asphyxiation crimes Crimes of suffocation and asphyxiation now carry a felony offense in the same way that strangulation does.
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR COMMUNITY FROM EPEC
As you’re aware if you’ve watched the news or participate in social media, there has been a large and appropriate response to the murder of Black Americans by police officers taking place over the last several days. Our society is being traumatized by the systematic, institutional racism that pervades the structures that govern and rule our citizenry. Our Black neighbors live in fear every second of every day that their name will be the next that needs to be remembered. That their son or daughter may be the next Black citizen murdered in the streets or in their own home by the people who swore to protect them.
We want to openly and loudly affirm for our Black employees, clients, and community members that you are safe at EPEC from racism and discrimination. We vehemently oppose and condemn the actions of the police officer in Minneapolis who murdered George Floyd in cold blood, along with the hundreds of others who went before him. We recognize that your lives have been, and are, repeatedly traumatized and that you are still showing up for work/life every day with a positive attitude and consistently representing survivors with a smile. From the white aspiring allies on our team at EPEC: we understand that we will never understand but know that we are here beside you to use our white privilege as a building block to advocate for change in our society.
How are we honoring this commitment here at EPEC?
In an effort to better serve survivors from all walks of life as well as our commitment to social justice, EPEC has released an open letter addressing the murder of George Floyd as well as the many instances like it (the letter can be found on pages 3-5 of this newsletter).
We hope to practice what we preach and in addition to verbalizing our support, some of our very own staff have created an allyship group within our agency, EPEC Aspiring Allies (EAA). Trey Goldizen, Domestic Violence Specialist, Morgan County and Jenna Pepple, Victim Advocate, Berkeley County have spearheaded this movement within our agency. Together, all interested EPEC employees meet bi-weekly and have tough conversations about social justice and troubleshoot potential solutions as they relate to the work we do and clients we serve. We hope to ultimately expand this group to involve community members and allied professionals.
EPEC is committed to creating a victim-centered culture within our agency and believes that is not possible without also addressing anti-oppression.
SERVICE UPDATES COVID-19
Are outreach offices open? Yes, all outreach offices are open and operating within social distancing guidelines.
Are you taking donations? Yes, please call ahead to make an appointment so we are able to stagger donation appointments. We are taking all donations at this time, but cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and paper products are needed the most. Also see the shelter needs list.
What precautions are you taking in outreach offices? We are adhering to social distancing guidelines of keeping 6 feet apart. Masks are required upon entry into any outreach office. We are also doing our best to schedule appointments as to not have an excess of people in each building at one time.
Are you providing peer support group services? Yes, we are providing peer support groups, facilitated by two trained advocates, every other week on Thursdays from 5pm – 6:30pm via Zoom. Call one of the offices if you’re interested in the Zoom call information. We are also providing anonymous support by way of our HelpRoom every Monday at 6pm and Wednesday at 2pm. The HelpRoom is an anonymous chat service that you can log into to talk to trained advocates/facilitators from EPEC and connect with other survivors. You are not required to receive other services or live in the panhandle service area to participate. Follow our Facebook page for any schedule changes.
Are advocates still providing court advocacy? Yes, however each county’s courthouse is operating under slightly different parameters. Please call the appropriate outreach office and an advocate can assist you.
Are counseling appointments still available? Yes. We are offering both in-person (socially distanced and masks required) and remote appointments (telehealth). Call the appropriate outreach office to schedule an appointment or intake.
Can you still provide immediate needs (food, water, clothing)? Yes, call the appropriate outreach office or our Helpline 24 hours a day if you need assistance with immediate needs or safety planning.
Any questions you have that we didn’t address here? Give us a call!
UPDATES
EPECtalk
Every Friday from July 24 – September 11 @ 11:30am
EPECtalk, inspired by the famous TEDTalk, is a new Facebook Live series where staff members will be educating through tough conversations. Grab your lunch, and plug in your headphones every Friday at 11:30 AM!
HelpRoom
Every Monday @ 6 pm and Wednesday @ 2 pm
HelpRoom is a group chat service that allows survivors of interpersonal (domestic & sexual) violence to support one another in a safe online environment. This service is provided by the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) and Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center (EPEC). HelpRoom is completely confidential and free to all participants. Each session will be facilitated by a trained advocate.
Virtual Peer Support Group
Every other Thursday @ 5 – 6:30 pm
EPEC is offering a virtual support group. They will be facilitated by EPEC’s trained advocates in the same format as Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties’ in-person groups. Virtual support groups will be provided in place of in-person groups until further notice. Call us for the link and password, as well as to answer any questions regarding how to use Zoom.
Virtual fundraisers TBA
EPEC is working on virtual events and fundraisers. Please watch our social media pages for updates as we try to adapt our services and events around the COVID-19 era.
West Virginia Statewide Prevention Initiative Website is live. Our very own Community Coordinator and Prevention Educator, Mary “MK” Francisco co-developed this website with our state sexual assault coalition, FRIS (Foundation for Rape Information Services). Resourceful toolkits are available for educators, parents, and the community to help prevent child sexual abuse in our state, check it out!