New Horizons Crisis Center

							                    New Horizons Crisis Center
                            SMSU Outreach Office
                             Annual Report 2006
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
New Horizons Crisis Center (NHCC) was established in 1981 as a community based
sexual assault advocacy program. Since 1994, we have added five programs: Abused
Children, General Crime, Supervised Visitations, Crisis Nursery, and Education.
NHCC’s main office is located in Marshall, with satellite offices in Slayton, Redwood
Falls, and an outreach office on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University.
The mission of the Center includes, but is not limited to, providing services and support
to crime victims, advocacy for families, and education programs for Lincoln, Lyon,
Murray, and Redwood Counties in Southwest Minnesota. The main goals and activities
of the Center include: 24-hour crisis line, crisis intervention and advocacy services to
victims, support groups, community education, professional training, systems change
work, supervised visitations and exchanges, and crisis nursery placements. We serve
men, women and children of all cultures and backgrounds. NHCC is the only general
crime victim service agency in our area.


HISTORICAL NEED FOR SMSU OUTREACH OFFICE
In 1997, a group of social work students did a survey on campus regarding attitudes about
physical violence, sexual assault and alcohol use. There were 792 respondents
representing 27.7% of the total student body. Of those surveyed 18% felt sexual assault
was a problem on campus and 24.6% reported they had witnessed a sexual assault. Other
relevant findings indicated 15% felt they had the right to sex if they had dated for a long
time, and 18% felt they had a right to sex if they were living together.

This lack of knowledge on sexual assault was disturbing, especially since NHCC
statistics indicated the majority of sexual assault clients were college students. As a
direct result of this data, a task force was formed on campus to address sexual assault.
The Violence Prevention Task Force represented the sole institutional effort to address
sexual violence at SMSU, and consisted of university staff, students, victim service
providers, faculty, counselors, students affairs representatives, volunteers, and
administration, with a focus on increased reporting of sexual assault and increased
education and awareness of sexual assault. It was from this organized effort that New
Horizons Crisis Center took the lead role and applied for grant funding to establish a
satellite office on the campus of SMSU. NHCC has had an outreach office on the
campus of SMSU since 2000.

A study done by the National Institute of Justice in December 2000, indicated more than
350 rapes may occur on a campus with a population of 10,000 female students.
Futhermore, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice
Programs every day in Minnestoa 7 people are raped and 11 other people are victims of a
sexual offense. Every minute there are 1.3 focible rapes of adult women (Koss & Oros,
1982). The Federal Bureau of Investigations states that every 6 minutes one rape is
reported in the United States.


SMSU OUTREACH OFFICE GOALS:
The overall goals of our campus outreach office are: 1) to change attitudes about sexual
assault and general crime by raising awareness, 2) to improve campus repsonse to sexual
assault and general crime, 3) to expand services for victims of sexual assault and general
crime.

Goal number 1), to change attitudes about sexual assault and general crime by
raising awareness.

    In the past NHCC posters and business cards were located in the women’s
       bathrooms in academic buildings. This effort has been expanded to include
       posters and business cards in all of the men’s and women’s bathrooms in
       academic buildings and dorms throughout campus.

    NHCC brochures on general crime, sexual assault, and agency services were
       placed in prominent places throughout campus, such as campus security, health
       services, counseling and testing, and the Women’s Center.

    The NHCC website is linked to the SMSU website under Campus Life and
       Southwest Net. The NHCC website has links to our agency prorgrams,
       community resources, hotlines, as well as a link to our SMSU outreach office
       information. The SMSU outreach office portion of the NHCC website provides
       additional information about campus location, hours, services provided, programs,
       resource library information, volunteering, and sexual assault handbook. There
       were over 1079 new hits on our website throughout the year.

    Prior to the start of the fall semester training on sexual assault, date rape drugs,
       boundaries, and sexual harassment was provided to 38 residential hall advisors.
       In addition, boundaries, sexual assault prevention, and date rape drugs
       presentations were given to two dorm “houses,” totalling 7 students and
       residential advisors. The campus program director received positive feedback
       from the presentations.

    The campus program director and NHCC staff guest lectured in 11 classes
       involving approximately 273 students. Topics ranged from sexual assault
       prevention, date rape drugs, boundaries, dating and domestic violence,
       volunteerism, and agency services.

    The campus program director was invited to present personal body safety to 15
       children at the SMSU campus daycare. The presentation teaches children about
       good touch, bad touch, confusing touch, and secret touch. Information about
       personal body safety and NHCC services was sent home with each child.
 April 2006 was Sexual Asasult Awareness Month. During the month of April, the
   campus program director had 130 students and faculty staff tie ribbons to a large
   wreath to speak out against sexual assault. The wreath was prominently displayed
   in the student center throughout the month of April. A display of sexual assault
   related books, handouts, brochures and NHCC agency information was featured at
   the SMSU library throughout the month.

 During fall 2006 orientation week agency magnets were distributed to 2,000
   students via the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce packets.

 NHCC had a table at the fall 2006 campus fair to provide information to incoming
   freshman and transfer students. We distributed agency pencils, magnets, and
   brochures covering a number of topics, such as, date rape, date rape drugs,
   general crime, peronal safety. NHCC had tables at the SMSU volunteer fairs in
   the spring and fall of 2006; reaching approximately 200 students. We provided
   information about NHCC services, agency programs, and volunteer opprotunities.

 The program director worked with the SMSU Office of Admissions to coordinate
   bringing the play “Sex Signals” to campus for fall 2006 orientation week. The
   play focused on gender stereotyping, mixed messages, dating, and sexual assault.
   There were approximately 320 students and faculty in attendance. NHCC, SMSU
   faculty and staff have received positive feedback about the play.

 RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) has an annual sexual assault
   awareness campaign for college students. On September 28th, the SMSU library
   handed out a “Get Carded” card to students who checked out books. The cards
   included information about how people can reduce their risk of being sexually
   assaulted, what to do if you are sexually assaulted, how to help a friend who was
   sexually assaulted, as well as the RAINN hotline and NHCC telephone numbers.

 During fall 2006 there were two guest speakers at SMSU presenting on Femicide.
   Femicide is the murder of women, solely because they are women. According to
   the presenters, since 1993, 450 women have been murdered, many raped and
   tortured first, near Cuidad Juarez, Mexico. Prior to the presentation, the program
   director informed the audience of NHCC programs and services.

 Throughout the year the campus program director attended Women’s Studies
   Committee Meetings.

 The campus program director corresponded with the SMSU library to work out a
   way for them to refer students to NHCC when seeking out information about
   crime related topics.

 The SMSU weekly publication in the Marshall Independent included an article to
   announce the new SMSU Program Director and services offered. Also, the
      Marshall Independent ran a feature about young people who make a difference
      and the campus program director was featured in this article.

    The campus program director met with the SMSU Personnel Office to discuss
      NHCC holding a sexual harassment in-service for faculty and staff. The sexual
      harassment in-service will tentatively take place in February 2007.

    NHCC had a booth at the Lyon County Fair and provided information and
      brochures about agency services and programs. NHCC also had a booth at the
      Schwan Food Company Health Expo at the YMCA in Marshall; yielding
      approximately 300 people (many who are SMSU students). We provided
      information and brochures about agency services and program information.

    Volunteer advocate recruiting was conducted in classes throughout campus.
      Seven students completed the training and are now NHCC advocates who will be
      on hand to answer our 24 hour crisis line.

    Throughout the year the campus program director co-presented the dating series
      to 118 area high school students. The dating series presentation is interactive and
      focuses on raising awareness about boundaries, dating, and sexual assault. We
      are hoping to educate young adults earlier in life to help them get a good start.


Goal number 2), to improve campus response to sexual assault and general crime.

    The campus office is linked to the NHCC’s main office 24 hours a day. If the
      campus program director is on the phone or away from the office, the caller is
      advised of the crisis number to the main office/crisis line.

    Prior to the start of the 2006 fall semester, training was provided to 18 security
      officers. The campus program director was in regular contact with University
      Public Safety throughout the year to collaborate about services and safety issues.

    Students contacted the campus program director and stopped by NHCC offices to
      get information for class projects, to volunteer, or for internship information.

    Posters related to sexual assualt, volunteering, and NHCC services remained up
      year round throughout campus.

    As previously stated, the campus program director met with the SMSU Personnel
      Office to discuss NHCC holding a sexual harassment in-service for faculty and
      staff. The sexual harassment in-service will tentatively take place in February
      2007.

    The sexual assault advisory council was reconvened and met quarterly. Members
      included the campus program director, NHCC executive director, faculty,
       counseling and testing staff, student housing, campus public safety,
       administration, and Marshall Police Department.

Goal number 3), to expand service for victims of sexual assault and general crime.

    Services were provided to 76 victims thoughout the year. The range of victims
       was varied- ranging from harassment restraining orders to physical assaults,
       adults abused as children, and from past sexual assaults to recent sexual assault
       issues. Additionally, the campus program director provided 367 contacts and/or
       other services for victims, such as face to face meetings, court attendence, filling
       restraining orders and orders for protection, medical advocacy and more.

    As previously stated, during fall 2006 orientation week, agency magnets with
       agency contact information were distributed to 2,000 students via the Marshall
       Area Chamber of Commerce packets. NHCC had a table at the fall 2006 campus
       fair; the campus fair is designed for incoming freshman and transfer students.

    As previously stated, in the past NHCC posters and business cards were located in
       the women’s bathrooms in academic buildings. This effort has been expanded to
       include posters and business cards in all of the men’s and women’s bathrooms in
       academic buildings and dorms throughout the campus.

    As previously stated, throughout the year the campus program director co-
       presented the dating series to 118 area high school students. The dating series
       presentation is interactive and focuses on raising awareness about boundaries,
       dating, and sexual assault. We are hoping to educate young adults earlier in life
       to help them get a good start.


EVALUATION
Surveys were given in several of the classes following presentations. The results were
positive in nature and the students appreciated how the topics gave them a better
understanding of how it connected to them. Victims were generally appreciative and we
had several students approach us for services after presentations. Some of the feedback
received included: “It was a hard topic, but the presenters did a good job of making the
topic clear.” “Thanks for helping us talk about a subject most choose to ignore because of
its difficulty.” “I enjoyed listening to it and it helped me to understand the facts and info
on sexual assault.” “I enjoyed learning about sexual assault because that is an area that is
usually kinda gray and awkward to talk about.” “Great presentation. I respect you so
much for presenting this material. I think that this would be a hard subject to present on,
and I don’t think I would be able to do it. Thanks!”

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety-Office of Justice Programs collects client
satisfaction surveys on NHCC services. Feedback from the surveys was positive and
included the following client comments: “It was great to have someone understand and
want to help make a difference in the life of my family. We needed to know someone
cares and will help.” “I was well informed of how the process works, and felt that my
problems and concerns were understood and generally appreciated the time taken to
understand the paperwork.” “You understand. Thank You.” The program director also
received several thank you cards from clients, other agencies, and campus groups.


FUNDERS
The SMSU outreach office of New Horizons Crisis Center is funded by Minnesota
Department of Public Safety-Office of Justice Programs and The United Way of Lyon
County. Office space and phone use are provided by Southwest Minnesota State
University.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR FUNDERS!


VOLUNTEERS
Our programs at NHCC depend largely on the help of dedicated volunteer advocates. Our
advocates carry a cell phone for one week at a time. They answers calls that come in
during the evening, weekend, and on holidays. Volunteers are always backed up by a
second cell phone carried by a staff member. In additon to carrying the crisis line cell
phone, volunteers also do various other tasks for the agency, such as helping out with
office duties or assisting in community events- parades, fairs, etc. From time to time,
advocates may also find themselves offering support for victims in court. We provide
extensive training to our advocates. Many of our sexual assault calls come in at night. It
takes a special person to listen to tragic stoies and be willing to provide supprot. We
appreciate our advocates very much! If you would like more information about
becoming a volunteer advocate contact NHCC.

STAFF
Executive Director: Joyce Arends, LICSW, MSW
SMSU Campus Program Director: Elaine Ladwig, LSW
Lyon County Program Director: Heather Rokeh
Murray County/Crisis Nursery Program Director: Darla Boelman, LSW
Redwood County Program Director: Denise Kerkhoff
Education Director: Jennifer Bruns
Volunteer/Supervised Visitation Coordinator: Ashley Drew

                           New Horizons Crisis Center
                        Southwest Minnesotat State University
                              1501 State Street, ST 152
                                Marshall, MN 56258
                       Phone: 507-537-6817 or 1-800-881-7493
                                 Fax: 507-532-3628
                          Email: nhcc@southwestmsu.edu
                    New Website: www.newhorizonscrisiscenter.org