Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 3

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Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands Group Services Newsletter
The Healing Voice
May/June 2009 Volume 1, Number 3
Ginny Waller –Executive Director Alexandria Smith Glenn– Director of Crisis Services Sherry Lewis—Director of Therapy and Outreach Katie Reid—Community Education Program Director Jennifer Gantt—Group Services Coordinator Daphne Pearson—Advocate Counselor Mary Dell Amick—Volunteer Services Coordinator Melanie Griffin—Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Georgina Hance—Office Manager Sarah Eaton—Clinical Intern Jamie Stein—Education Intern Reonda Washington – Education Intern Sarah Henry – Administrative Assistance
As the world continues to get more complex it is important that professionals continue to develop the skills necessary in their field of work for today's changing environments. Continuing education is necessary for the professional to remain up to date with the latest techniques and knowledge base in their field of study. It is also a great way for professionals to network and share their skills and techniques with other professionals. Therefore, STSM will host a continuing education training to all group facilitators on May 5th, 2009 from 6:00-8:00pm. This is a free training and dinner will be served.
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In This Issue:
 STSM Staff – Page 1  Continuing Education - Page 1  Message from the GSC – Page 1  Sexting - Page 2
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Message from the Group Services Coordinator
I would like to thank all the group facilitators for your dedication to this agency. I also would like to welcome our new facilitators:
 Facilitator Spotlight – Page 3  Upcoming Events and Trainings – Page 3  Current and Upcoming Groups – Page 3  Friendly Reminder – Page 3
Erica James Jacqueline Owens Michelle Drayton
am very excited to work with all of the new group facilitators and to continue to work with the current group facilitators.
I
Jennifer Gantt
What Parents Can Do To Prevent Sexting
Parents should handle sexting in the same manner and concern as other objectionable media and communication concerns by: Holding a conversation with your child regarding what sexting is, the legal ramifications (federal offense) and why you do not want your child to participate in these acts.
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“Sexting” is the popular name for the act of sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually suggestive or explicit words and/or photos via a text message on a cell phone or posting on social network Website such as MySpace or Facebook. Parents, educators, youth community leaders and law enforcement are just beginning to grasp what sexting is and what they can do to educate and prevent this form of behavior. Newspaper articles and television news throughout the country are reporting similar accounts of sexting that include: “In October a Texas eighth-grader spent the night in a juvenile detention center after his football coach found a nude picture on his cell phone that a fellow student sent him.” CBS News, April 9, 2009 “A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a prosecutor from filing child pornography charges against three northeastern Pennsylvania teenagers who appeared in racy photos that turned up on classmates’ cell phones.” Minneapolis Tribune, March 30, 2009
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Monitor your child’s cell phone use in a similar manner as you monitor the television and computer. Limit your child cell phone capabilities (if necessary) to not include texting or picture taking. Continue to stay knowledgeable and updated of all communication devices that your child uses. Speak with the parents of your child’s friends and share your concerns. Do this proactively before something happens. Share your concern with your child’s school administrators, teachers and youth group leaders to see what they are doing to teach and prevent sexting. Schools throughout the country are now beginning to become more proactive in this area and education is very important to help reduce
Parents Should
National Campaign: Teens and Unplanned Pregnancy
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Upcoming Events and Trainings:
Continuing Education Training for Group Facilitators – May 5, 2009 6:00-8:00pm
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Current Groups:
Morris Village – Mondays @ 3:30pm Shandon Support Group – Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Sistercare – Wednesdays/Thursdays @ 6:00pm CHIC Chat – Thursdays – 3:45pm
Marilyn Dozier
Upcoming Groups:
Killingsworth Support Group – June 1, 2009 Women’s Shelter Support Group – June 10, 2009 Post Trauma Teen Psycho- Ed Group- June 2009 Latimore Manor Teen Psycho-Ed Group – June 2009 CR Neal Teen Psycho-Ed Group – June 11, 2009
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Friendly Reminder:
All forms are due by the first business day of the month!
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Contact Us:
3700 Forest Drive Suite 350 Columbia, SC 29204 Phone: 803-790-8208 Fax: 803-790-8282 24 Hour Crisis Line: 803-771-7273 www.stsm.org
Marilyn Dozier has been a volunteer group facilitator with Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands since November 2008. Marilyn received her Bachelor of Arts from University of South Carolina in Women Studies with a concentration in health education. She is currently in her second year of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Liberty University. Currently, Marilyn works for Growing Home Southeast as a record specialist. She has volunteered with Richland County Coroner’s office for 3 years as a care team member offering assistance to victims who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Marilyn enjoys helping individuals who are experiencing pain in their lives, move toward healing.
Thank you Marilyn for you dedication to STSM as a group facilitator!