Religious Abuse

Fall Semester 2021

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September 3/October 5 – University at Buffalo School of Law, with Professor Judith Olin

October 7 – Niagara University, with Dr. Dana Radatz – Domestic Violence class

October 19 – Finding Our Voices Book Club, with Patrisha McClean

November 9 – University at Buffalo School of Social Work, with Dr. Rob Keefe – Human Behavior class

November 23 – UB School of Social Work, Drs. Noelle & Chris St. Vil – Human Behavior

December 8 – Featured in Niagara Falls, NY Zonta “16 Days of Activism” Campaign

December 13 – Wilson High School, After School Dating Violence Prevention Program

December 21 – Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy, Niagara County Community College

Fall Semester 2020

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I’m not sure how it’s possible, but I think I worked *more* during this weird, COVID-laden, socially-distanced semester than I ever have before – and not just in front of audiences! Once my loved ones finally convinced me that I did – in fact – need to purchase a ring light, I had to figure out how to use it :/ I also FINALLY understand how to unmute myself *and* how to “Join Video” 😉 I also started on the second draft of the sequel to Leaving Dorian , re-dedicated my novel, Sunrise and the Seven One Six , walked a socially-distanced 5K and joined yet another social media platform 🙂 Last, but certainly not least, I was happy to be reminded that a local women’s shelter (PASSAGE in Niagara County) requires all of their interns to read Leaving Dorian as a part of their training.

This was also my first semester back since trudging through some very serious life changes. Though I’ve never been happier {my life – wholly and completely – has never felt so “right”} even good stress is stress! As it turned out, I shouldn’t have given it a second thought; I’m giving this semester a 10/10: Highly Recommend 🙂

August 26 – Erie County Domestic Violence High Risk Team – Buffalo PD

28 – ECDVHRT – Horizon Health Services

September 8 – Niagara University – Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy – 74th class

15 – University at Buffalo School of Law – Family Violence Women’s Law Clinic

16 – Niagara University – Dr. Dana Radatz 590 Domestic Violence class

23 – ECDVHRT – BPD Police & Parole

24 – University at Buffalo School of Law – Dr. Michael Boucai – Family Law class

October – 14 – University at Buffalo Gender Institute Gender Matters podcast

16 – ECDVHRT – Legal Aid Bureau

21 – Trocaire College – Dating Violence Presentation for Community Coordination Response Team

22 – ECHRT (x2!)

29 – Speaker Series, It Takes A Community: A Survivor’s Story for Haven House/Erie County CFS

30 – ECDVHRT

November – 16 – University at Buffalo School of Law podcast

24 – University at Buffalo – Dr. Rob Keefe, Human Behavior class

December – Hamburg Middle & High Schools, Dating Violence Awareness Presentations

    Zoom Event – Please Join Me!

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    Spring Semester 2020

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    Though Spring semester ended well before it was supposed to thanks to COVID19, I was busier than ever! I was so fortunate to be invited to work more than a dozen dates with The Erie County DV High Risk Team at Spectrum Mental Health Services, Best Self Behavioral, as well as for Assigned Counsel with the Erie County Court System. I also started working with The University at Buffalo Law School, and of course made my way out *very* early one morning to speak with Health classes at Hamburg High School 🙂 The most disappointing part of the semester was not being able to complete all of the dates scheduled. Hilbert College was cancelled completely, as was my trip out to Western Michigan University :/ Even my Skype session with students at Loyola University at New Orleans ended up needing to be cancelled. On the upside, we all figured out how to conduct really productive Zoom meetings and I even got to meet Sunny the Therapy Dog!

    One perk to COVID19? I suddenly have plenty of time to work on my new book, the sequel to Leaving Dorian. I’ve also decided to do an audio book, of sorts. It will be *free* and will be made available within the next couple of weeks. The formal announcement for that will be posted on all of my social media Monday, March 30.

    There’s always a silver lining, ladies and gentlemen; you just need to be willing to look for it. Or as Dolly is fond of saying, “You don’t get the rainbow without a little rain.”

     

    Fall Semester 2019

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    At the end of the summer, I thought, “Well, it might be time to update my head shots…” I’d grown in my gray AND my 80’s bangs (finally) Good thing I did; turned out that my <Domestic Violence Awareness Month> would last 16 weeks …

    September 12 & 13 * Hobart & William Smith Colleges

    September 18 * Niagara University, Dr. Dana Radatz, “Domestic Violence” Class

    October 9 * University at Buffalo, Dr. Chris St Vil, “Theory of Human Behavior & Development”

    October 18 * CAPPA Theatre, Robert H. Jackson Center, Jamestown, Judicial Conference

    October 24 * Woodclif Hotel, Rochester, Judicial Conference

    October 28 * Buffalo Historic Courthouse, Judicial Conference

    October 29 * University at Buffalo, Dr. Rob Keefe, SW 505

    November 3 * St. John the Baptist RC Church, RCIA Program, Teen Dating Violence Program

    November 12 * University at Buffalo, Dr. Noelle St. Vil, SW 505

    November 13 * Hamburg HS, 9/10 grade Health Classes, Teen Dating Violence Program

    November 14 & 18 * ECC Law Enforcement Academy w/the Erie County DV High Risk Team, Continuing Education for Sworn Officers

    November 21 * Global Concepts HS, GLOW Program, Teen Dating Violence Program

    December 18 * NC Law Enforcement Academy, 73rd Class

    December 19 * Buffalo Family Courthouse w/Erie County DV High Risk Team, DV Program for Assigned Counsel

    I also signed on with the @ncadv Speaker’s Bureau and finished out the final six months of the Peer Mentoring/DV Program sponsored by the Niagara County Victims Assistance Unit in the Niagara County jail. To top off my very long semester and to celebrate the season, I decorated my first “Period Tree” – <Just Say “NO!” to Period Shaming!>

    Looking forward to a far less busy Spring Semester and to finally getting the first draft of the new book into the hands of my First Readers by the end of March. Say a prayer for me, folks; editing is the worst 😦

     

    Spring Semester 2019

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    Fully immersed in writing book No.3, here’s what I did from February to early June in between looking at old photos, reading old journals, scratching out timelines, writing chapters, half chapters, one liners that would eventually *be* chapters, editing, writing some more, deleting whole chunks of text, re-writing, re-writing, re-writing 😉 Grateful for each and every opportunity …

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    After school seminar at Wilson HS for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Fantastic kids and great questions!

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    Skyping Dr. Danielle Slakoff’s “Domestic Violence” class at Loyola University New Orleans.  Dr. Slakoff is a skilled facilitator which made working with this large group of students easy. What a fun couple of hours 🙂

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    *Lunch ‘N Learn*  hosted by The Family Violence Intervention Project, sponsored by The Niagara County Sheriff Dept. Victim Assistance Unit – “Surviving Life AFTER DV: It Is Possible!” at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

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    Interview with Claudine Ewing, Channel 2 News. Topics ranged from why I decided to write “Leaving Dorian” to the proper verbiage one ought to use when speaking about abuse. I think we sat and talked for maybe … forty-five minutes …? Remainder of interview will be aired at a later date. Thankful for that unique and important opportunity. Most fun moment was doing extra footage with the cameraman on the exterior grounds. Thank you, Cameraman Bob, for your kind words and for helping to make that weird extra segment less awkward!

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    Teen Dating Violence Awareness classes for 9/10 graders at Hamburg HS. Hamburg, NY, played an important role in my survivor story, so being able to give back to the community by spending the day working with their kids is something that I’m always happy to do.

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    71st class, Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy. It’s interesting to work with LE students because the nuggets that they focus on from “Leaving Dorian” are very different than any other group of students that I work with. This group was also genuinely curious, extremely compassionate, and particularly eager to learn about DV and related topics. A joy to work with.

    Fall Semester 2018

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    Dr. Dana Radatz Victimology class at Niagara University

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    Keynote!  My first standing ovation 🙂 YEAH! They spelled my name incorrectly :/ BOO!!

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    Dr. Rob Keefe Human Behavior class at University of Buffalo, South Campus

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    Have I ever gotten a pic while working with Dr. Chris St. Vil’s Human Behavior class at UB North Campus?? Nope. Pic of this awesome eval will have to suffice.

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    Skyping Dr. Angie Moe’s Family Violence class because Western Michigan is a LONG drive on short notice 😉 So happy to be planning a trip out there soon to meet her (and her students) in person!

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    Managed to work a little DV Awareness into the 10th Grade Confirmation class that I teach at St. John the Baptist RC Church in Lockport.

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    Healthy Relationships/Teen Dating Violence Class at Hamburg HS – Worked with the entire Freshman class as well as this college credit Senior Health Class.

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    69th Class of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy at Niagara University. LE students ask *very* different questions than MSW and Family Counseling students; an interesting two hours spent with these brave men – and woman – and a great way to end the semester!