External Politics

            This past week was a bunch more exciting than the last couple of weeks because I had the opportunity to participate in a teens group, as well as observe a crisis line shift!  It was great getting into some tasks that weren’t behind a desk.  Through these two experiences, I learned that to trust and rely on the other interns that have more experience than me, and that I can ask them anything about what’s going on.  I also learned that when you’re counseling someone on the phone that you need to make “listening noises” every so often so they know you are paying attention and still on the line.  This initially seemed strange to me, but I’ve accepted that some noises are necessary and that I should work on it. 

            Some challenges that I faced this week involved the teens group I participated in.  Initially I thought I would just observe, but it turned out they needed another facilitator and I started to panic.  It was overwhelming because I had no idea who the kids were, how the group normally functioned, or what the activities/discussion were like.  I totally psyched myself out though because I was able to chat with the kids, learn about them and help them with some crafts.  The intern who was facilitating the group seemed a bit perplexed throughout the meeting because the kids were a bit rowdy, and they didn’t seem interested in doing the activity she had planned so we all had to improvise and just work with what was going on.  It was a challenge for me to jump into a group that already had some structure, and I think my presence may have caused some of the rowdy behavior.  I really appreciated how the other intern handled this behavior and was able to be assertive with the kids in a respectful way.  I learned a lot from watching how she interacted with the kids, what and how she spoke, and how the kids responded to her. 

            This past week, I had to go through a DCFS mandated reporter training online.  It took a while to complete and at the end I had to print out a certificate, sign it, and scan it back onto the computer to email to my supervisor.  I am very technologically-challenged, and I had no idea where a printer was, or which one to send it to.  Somehow I figured out how to print the certificate, but I’m pretty sure I almost broke the scanner.  It was terrifying, but I figured it out.

            In terms of politics, there is quite a bit going on right now that could affect how Sarah’s Inn functions.  Because of its location, a large majority of the clients we work with are Hispanic or Latino, some of whom aren’t citizens.  Citizenship doesn’t affect whether clients can receive services, it just needs to be addressed so the advocates can work with the client to develop a safety plan.  There are a couple policies that protect victims of domestic violence if they aren’t citizens, and there is some fear that the Trump administration may somehow alter this.  The past couple of weeks, I have been receiving emails from Illinois based domestic violence coalitions that are urging us to contact our legislators because there is a threat that the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) will be gutted, and a big chunk of funding will be cut for agencies that serve these women. 

            As I said in my last blog, one of the services offered at Sarah’s Inn is legal advocacy, which is where a client can meet an advocate at either the Maywood or a Chicago courthouse and get assistance on petitioning for an Order of Protection (OP).  I have been told that the paperwork is kind of long, the information needs to be clear and specific, and can be difficult to navigate through for many people.  The advocates also assist these clients on preparing for speaking with the judge, and help them understand everything that is going on. 

            Based on different things I’ve been told, there are policies and procedures in place to promote safety.  Local police departments are being trained to identify domestic violence if there is a domestic disturbance they get called to, and many women come to our services because a police officer provided them with that information at a crucial time.  VAWA provides women and children – whether they are citizens or not – protection from being evicted due to unpaid rent which could be due to financial/economic abuse, protection from being deported by offering a temporary visa while women work on becoming legal permanent residents or citizens, as well as protection and programs for women, men, and children who have unique challenges or disabilities.  Victims Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), is the last thing I’m going to talk about because it restricts employers from firing victims of domestic violence due to needing time off to physically or emotionally heal, appear in court hearings or receive legal assistance, take care of their children, or simply because the abuser destroyed their method of transportation.  This act hold employers accountable to keep victims employed as well as give them time off when necessary.  There are requirements and limits for this act, but ultimately protects anyone affected by interpersonal violence.