Local groups attack problem of sexual abuse
Sharon B arris
Capital Times Staff
One night a woman
in a robe and bedro<
dime in her pocket. Hi
reach a pay phone whe
help and protection
husband. But when she
she realized she had no
From this inciden
was formed to protect
give them a pla<
Pennsylvania Coalitioi
Violence.
Judy Yupcavage,
specialist for the c:
organization's purpop
services society was fai
Fortunately, servi
available today for v
Some of these serv
coalition, the Pent
Relations Commissioi
Crisis Services a
Harrisburg's own cc
gathered in a work
against women, held b
Harrisburg.
The groups discus
women in the past and
as the services that are
in need.
According to Yupc
took 150,000 calls fn
last year. Services sucl
shelter were provided
victims.
Wltmer, fi
details surrounding the i
Toni Leggett, inst
justice at Penn State
courts and judges freqt
agreements when the i
restitution. Leggett sa
restitution is "making
again.”
"If Penn State gets
technically they are
again,” Leggett said.
Leggett said the p
fled from her home
>m slippers with a
ir only hope was to
|re she could cry for
from her abusive
:: reached the phone,
one to call.
t, an organization
abused women and
:e to turn, the
Against Domestic
public education
salition, said the
se is to "provide
iling to provide."
ces like these are
ictims of violence,
ices, such as the
nsylvania Human
ri, the YWCA Rape
ind Penn State
:unseling services
:shop on violence
> ov. 9 at Penn State
4sed the threats to
I the present as well
provided to women
ivage, the coalition
>m abused women
i as counseling and
to 80,000 of those
pagei
investigation,
uctor of criminal
Harrisburg, said
tently prepare plea
criminal can make
id the purpose of
the victim whole
the money back,
considered whole
unishment is also
Shelter space for abused women is
always limited and in demand, so some
women are placed in homeless shelters.
"At least it is a safe place, away from
abuse," Yupcavage said.
Any woman who was an abuse victim
was usually removed from her home until
1988, when the Protection from Abuse
Laws were amended.
The amendment gave victims the
opportunity to place a restraining order on
the abuser, requiring him to leave the
home.
The process has come a long way. In
fact, it has only been during the past 10
years that a husband who abused his wife
was considered a criminal.
When the law did not step in to help
the women, they helped themselves.
Yupcavage recalled one young girl who
was repeatedly abused by her father. The
girl shot and killed her father in self
defense, but will sit in a jail cell for the
majority of her life.
"She is paying a price twice,"
Yupcavage said. "Our goal is to try to
change attitudes in society to stop such
tragedies. The attitudes will ndt change
until the issues of battering, rape and
sexual assault are confronted by everyone."
According to Linda Meashey of
counseling services, Penn State Harrisburg
tries to reduce the risk of violence toward
women by providing a safe physical
environment and an attitude of respect and
protection.
Women are encouraged to use the
escort service when walking to the parking
collar criminals.
In addition to his position at the
university, Witmer was a Londonderry
Twp. supervisor. He resigned from the
township governing board in April,
shortly before his arrest, citing conflicts
with his new job, the Patriot-News said.
Of Witmer's work at the university,
South said, "He'd been rated as a very
highly effective manager."
Leggett said, "He caused no pain and
suffering, no bloodletting. But that doesn't
mean he hasn't caused a lot of harm.”
White-collar criminals, she said, "Tend to
leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth.”
Accepting Penn State Harrisburg Students, Faculty, Staff & Referrals
W I Susquehanna Institute
• Vocational & Career Transition Counseling
• Marriage & Family Counseling
• Psychiatric, Medical and
Legal Consultation Available
• Educational Planning and Study Skills
• Children, Adolescence, Adults
• Personal Counseling & Psychotherapy
• Blended /Step Families
• Psychological Testing
• Substance Abuse/ACOA's
• Singles/Couples
• Sexual Abuse
Comprehensive, Personal, Academic, Vocational and Educatkmal Counseling and Psychological Services
Dr. Edward S. Beck, CCMHC, NCC, Director
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serving the Penn State Harrisburg community lovingly and professionally since 1972
lot at night. In addition, campus police
regularly patrol the dorms and building
areas.
Sexual harassment will not be tolerated
at Penn State, said Mcashey. The student
handbook explains the rules and
consequences to students and faculty.
Mcashey said these regulations are upheld
at all times.
The most important thing to remember
Kevin DeWitt, of Students For a Quality Library, explains the group's petition
to Stacey Devine, secretary of the Student Government Association, during a
block walk through Meade Heights. The walk helped the group gain about
400 student signatures supporting the group’s demands for library
improvements.
232-4900
24 hours, 7 days a week
CAPITAL TIMES DCU
November 25, 1991 R kjll ▼ T C 5/
is that there will always be a risk of
violence toward women. One must take
precautions and realize that it can happen.
Fortunately, more and more services
arc provided by people who care. State and
federal governments are getting involved
in the fight against violence against
women.
"After all," said Yupcavage, "this is an
issue for all of us to deal with."
Hours By Appointment
Evening & Weekend Appointments
Most Insurances Accepted
Affordable sliding-fee scale
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Beaufort Professional Center
1820 Linglestown Road, Suite 2
Harrisburg, PA 17110-3339
Photo by Karen Putt