Considerations of Identity
Age & Ability
Age & ability encompasses not only physical, cognitive, and other types of impairments, but also ageism —- the biases that we face on both ends of the continuum of our lives; children and teenagers face heightened threats as victims due to their inexperience and vulnerability; in later years, grown adults face similar threats of victimization as their ability to care for themselves deteriorates; perpetrators can take advantage of the vulnerability brought on by the deterioration of physical or mental abilities.
Of Note:
Disability Organizations Give New Budget Faililng Grade For People With Disabilities
from Disabilities Rights Wisconsin (DRW):
“Many of you are well aware of the impact of the Wisconsin Governor's budget (now law) on collective bargaining and public employee unions. There is another story as well. Please see the Report Card issued by the Survival Coalition -- a statewide coalition of disability organizations, of which Disability Rights Wisconsin is a member. This report card succinctly illustrates what awaits some of our most vulnerable Wisconsinites…”
The Legislative Report Card can be read online [PDF]
Read the Survival Coalition’s press release online…
U.S. DOJ -- First Estimates of Crime Against People with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has issued the first estimates of crime against people with disabilities.
Using 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey data, BJS estimates that
about one third (34%) of the crimes against persons with or without a
disability in 2007 were serious violent crimes (rape/sexual assault,
robbery, or aggravated assault). Persons with disabilities were victims
of about 47,000 rapes, 79,000 robberies, 114,000 aggravated assaults,
and 476,000 simple assaults.
You can read more, and download text and PDF versions of the report on the DOJ website.
Deaf Unity has recently launched a Hotline Service 
New Resources from Disability Rights Wisconsin
In collaboration with our partners at Disability Rights Wisconsin and WCADV, would like you to know about two new resources posted to the DRW website available for download:
CREATING SAFETY by Asking What Makes People Vulnerable?
Developed through the Violence Against Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women Project of Wisconsin and authored by Mark Sweet, Trainer and Consultant at Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW), this guide is a ground-breaking culmination of open thought, keen observation and practical understanding of how many people with disabilities experience human interactions and relationships designed to provide them support.
Click here to download Creating Safety. 
Victims/Survivors Who Use Service Animals: An Updated Background Paper and Sample Policy for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs September 2011
This booklet was originally developed and now updated by the Violence Against Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women Project of Wisconsin to assist domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, and other service organizations that have questions about addressing requests for service animals as a reasonable accommodation or modification for program participants with disabilities.
Click here to download the Service Animal guide
Links to Online Resources:
Ability
Disability Advocates Wisconsin Network (DAWN) – [email alert system]
Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
WI Developmental Disabilities Agency Links
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
MINCAVA: Disabilities and Violence
Common Myths and Misconceptions About Disability - handout
Disability Etiquette – booklet from the United Spinal Association
Safety Planning for Persons with Disabilities – Advocate Guide – a project of the Safety First Initiative
Confronting the Sexual Abuse of Women with Disabilities – VAWNet booklet
Tisha Unarmed – 
channel for a 25 year old woman who was born without arms and her right leg shorter than the left. Naturally, Tisha learned how to do everything with her feet including driving, painting, and dressing. An amazing look at the resilience of people with different abilities.
California senator seeks investigations of abuse of disabled people | LA Times - Dec. 19, 2012
Age & Aging Issues
Older Adults:
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) – Sexual Violence in Later Life Information Packet | fact sheet, technical assistance guide, resource list, and other documents
National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
National Center on Elder Abuse
Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups
WI Bureau of Aging and Long Term Care
Challenges Facing Aging Populations: Focus on Immigrant Elders (part of Wisconsin Women's Network briefs)
The Truth Behind Elder Rape – Noelle Howey on The Daily Beast.com (related to sexual assault of a 73 y/o woman in New York’s Central Park, Sept. 2012)
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging 
NEW RESOURCE: Inclusive Questions for Older Adults: A Practical Guide to Collecting Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – available free of charge; offers a range of tools and tips on asking questions about sexual orientation and gender identity to older adults in safe and respectful ways.
Youth / Teens:
WI Dept. of Public Instruction (DPI) Toolkit on Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools to Improve Learning
Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Teen Abuse and Dating Violence resources
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study: 1,430 7th-Grader Students Report Teen Dating Violence Behaviors and Risk Factors Occurring among Middle School Students [published Mar. 2012]
Safe Start Center – funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The goal of the Safe Start Initiative is to broaden the knowledge of and promote community investment in evidence-based strategies for reducing the impact of children's exposure to violence. Lots of good resources…
The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain – 
Sarah-Jayne Blakemore gives a fascinating explanation of human brain development and makes a plea for de-stigmatizing adolescence and appreciating it for the opportunity for growth and learning it truly is…
Child Sexual Abuse
18th National Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect – originally held in April 2012, they have made their archive of presentation handouts available online
Isthmus article: Finding Safety , March 31, 2011
