REAL - nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org

1 REAL TOOLS: RESPONDING TO MULTI-ABUSE TRAUMA. A TOOL KIT TO HELP ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. BETTER SERVE PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. By Debi S. Edmund, , LPC. and Patricia J. Bland, , CDP. 2011 by Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault This project was supported by 2007-MU-AX-0082 and 2010 MU-AX-0002 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. DEDICATION. Wilma Louise Bennett We dedicate this edition of Real Tools in memory of Wilma Louise Bennett.

2 Wilma's Tlingit name was Taats and she was Ishktaan from the Pool-in-the-River house of Taku. Wilma served as a strong advocate for recovering women and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse during her nearly five years with the Training Project at the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Wilma (pictured here far right with Lindsee Acton) was a beloved member of the Juneau community and a vital force behind the development of the Real Tools manual. During her tenure at the Network, Wilma never wavered in her commitment to people who experienced harm at the hands of others and she worked hard to reduce barriers for women and children impacted by multiple forms of abuse.

3 Throughout Wilma's long illness she shared her experience, faith and hope with all of us at the Network. Wilma lived every moment. She loved the glacier, her God and her family. She found humor in everything, even during her illness. Wilma was truly the Boss' and involved with organizing Real Tools (and everything else) until we lost her on January 29, 2011. No doubt she is checking for typos in the sky and putting in a good word to the Angels for the people we serve. Wilma was born on Nov. 18, 1942, in Juneau. Her parents were William and Beatrice Stoddard. Her brother, Bill, lives in Washington state. Wilma met her true love, Robert J.

4 Bennett, at the Juneau Teen Center in 1964. They were married in 1981. On Sept. 4, 2010, Wilma and Bob celebrated 29 years of marriage. Wilma was loved by all and will be missed by her family, her friends and all of us at the Network. Ldak t wuh anch,itusix n. Gunalch esh y haa t' it' yeeynaag . Tsu y i ikkwasat en. A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS. The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) offers sincere appreciation and respect to our member programs in Alaska who daily seek to help the people in our communities alleviate and overcome the impact of violence, abuse, trauma and co-occurring issues. We thank you for your tireless efforts and ongoing commitment to safety, sobriety, wellness and justice.

5 We offer grateful acknowledgements to the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women for their financial support of this project and their commitment to the safety and well-being of the people we serve. We also offer grateful acknowledgements to ANDVSA staff members Susan Christianson, Lindsee Acton, and Madison Massey for their editorial support. Special thanks to Lindsee Acton for layout and design assistance, as well as hours and hours of hard work on this project. Heartfelt thanks are extended to the Safety Girls, Ginger Baim and Karen Carpenter, and to everyone who participates in the SAFE SISTR program.

6 You are an example for us all. Many of the tools provided in this manual were initially inspired by people struggling to get free from violence and heal from trauma and other issues. These people have shared their experience, strength and hope with each other and with us over the years. While confidentiality constraints do not allow us to acknowledge them by name, we want to extend our special thanks to the courageous survivors who allowed us to interview them about their personal experiences. ANDVSA would like to acknowledge the technical expertise and significant editorial contributions made by the following Field Reviewers/Technical Advisors: Daisy May Barrera, Advocate, Bethel, AK.

7 Gene A. Brodland, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL. Karen Foley, Founder, Triple Play Connections; Behavioral Health Specialist and Intensive Case Manager, Pacific Treatment Alternatives Safe Babies/Safe Moms Program, Seattle, WA. Jean Folin, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Killian & Associates, Springfield, IL. Tia Holley, Statewide Training Team member, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Juneau, AK. vi Real Tools: Responding to Multi-Abuse Trauma Christine King, Project Director, University of Alaska Center for Human Development, Anchorage, AK.

8 Cecilia Leal-Covey, , Advocate/Consultant, Reno, NV. Paula Lee, Shelter Coordinator, South Peninsula Haven House, Homer, AK. Naomi Michalsen, Executive Director, Women In Safe Homes, Ketchikan, AK. Shirley Moses, Shelter Manager, Alaska Native Women's Coalition, Fairbanks, AK. Leslie Myers, Senior Program Associate, Accessing Safety Initiative, Center on Victimization & Safety, Vera Institute of Justice, Washington, DC. Cindy Obtinario, Chemical Dependency/Domestic Violence Specialist and Advocate, New Beginnings, Seattle, WA. Erin Patterson-Sexson, Lead Advocate/Direct Services Coordinator, Standing Together Against Rape ( ), Anchorage, AK.

9 Terri Pease, , National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health. Olga Trujillo, Attorney; Director of Programs, Casa de Esperanza, St. Paul, MN. Carole Warshaw, , National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health. We gratefully thank these individuals for the time they took to share their expertise with us, either during interviews or in ANDVSA conference presentations. Please note that the opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this manual are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of our funders or the individuals who served as Field Reviewers/Technical Advisors.

10 We thank you, the readers and users of this manual, for taking the time to review materials addressing the needs of underserved individuals with multiple abuse issues. People experiencing multiple forms of abuse are often invisible. Your advocacy on their behalf is critical. We thank you for your commitment to reducing barriers for survivors of multi-abuse trauma and we thank you for your willingness to provide services geared towards ending oppression of all kinds. But most of all, thanks to everyone seeking safety, sobriety, wellness and justice who shares their journey to freedom with others, one person and one group at a time. You are our inspiration.