Violence Against Women

Violence Against Women

By Jackie O'Neal






Women are significantly more likely than men to be injured during an assault: 31.5 percent of female rape victims, compared with 16.1 percent of male rape victims, reported being injured during their most recent rape; 39.0 percent of female physical assault victims, compared with 24.8 percent of male physical assault victims, reported being injured during their most recent physical assault, a National Institute of Justice report, Full Report of the Prevalence , Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women by Patricia Tjaden and Nancy Thoennes revealed in 2000, based on survey results.

The researchers noted a total of 8,000 women and 8,005 men age 18 and older were interviewed using a computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system.


Tjaden and Thonnes went on to affirm the risk of injury increases among female rape and physical assault victims when their assailant is a current or former intimate: Women who were raped or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, boyfriend, or date were significantly more likely than women who were raped or physically assaulted by other types of perpetrators to report being injured during their most recent rape or physical assault.



Based on their survey, the researchers noted approximately one-third of injured female rape and physical assault victims receive medical treatment: 35.6 percent of the women injured during their most recent rape and 30.2 percent of the women injured during their most recent physical assault received medical treatment. Results from the survey indicate that 1 of 9 Americans—female and male alike—has been beaten since age 18. Results also indicate that 1 of 18 U.S. women and 1 of 8 U.S. men has been threatened with a gun since becoming an adult, while 1 of 43 U.S. women and 1 of 20 U.S. men has had a gun used on them.



Injury risk factors during rape were also taken into consideration, and the researchers noted the results that indicate that women who were raped as adults were significantly more likely to incur an injury (other than the rape itself) if they were raped by a current or former intimate partner; if their perpetrator threatened to harm or kill them or someone close to them at the time of the rape; if their perpetrator used a gun, knife, or other weapon during the rape; if the rape was completed; and if their perpetrator used drugs and/or alcohol at the time of the rape. The variable most likely to predict injury among adult female rape victims was whether the perpetrator threatened to harm or kill the victim or someone close to the victim at the time of the rape.



According to The Centers For Disease Control Each year, about 50,000 violent deaths occur in this country. Violent deaths, including homicides and suicides, cost the United States more than $52 billion in medical care and lost productivity every year.



Tjaden and Thonnes went on to note statistics estimate 2.1 million U.S. women who are raped and/or physically assaulted annually. Because some rape and physical assault victims experience multiple victimizations per year, an estimated 876,000 rapes and 5.9 million physical assaults, or 6.8 million rapes and physical assaults combined, are committed against U.S. women annually. Given the pervasiveness of rape and physical assault among American women, violence against women should be treated as a major criminal justice and public health concern.



The researchers pointed out that the annual rape victimization estimates are based on responses from only 24 women and should therefore be viewed with caution.



Further, the researchers asserted stalking is more prevalent than previously thought: 8.1 percent of surveyed women and 2.2 percent of surveyed men reported being stalked at some time in their life; 1.0 percent of women surveyed and 0.4 percent of men surveyed reported being stalked in the 12 months preceding the survey. Approximately 1 million women and 371,000 men are stalked annually in the United States. Based on U.S. Census estimates of the number of women and men in the country, one out of every 12 U.S. women (8.2 million) has been stalked at some time in her life, and one out

of every 45 U.S. men (2 million) has been stalked at some time in his life.



Leslie Bowman, author of Self-defense For Survival : The Road to Empowerment said she hopes her book will encourage women to become pro-active about their personal safety. "Women have all sorts of excuses for not learning to defend themselves. Among them are not having enough time, not being in good shape physically, having various medical conditions, not wanting to learn martial arts, and the worst of all-it can't happen to me. Sometimes people become victims of violent acts no matter how careful or aware of potential danger they may be. In cases like this, self-defense survival strategies can save a life. The prevention strategies and self-defense survival techniques in this book are suitable for women and children of all ages. With education and awareness, you can increase your self-confidence and learn to prevent and avoid potential violence attacks, " she said.



Leslie Bowman is a full time instructional designer and online professor in Education, Technology, Sociology, English, Communications, and Criminal Justice. She has 15 years of elementary public school teaching experience and has been teaching undergraduate and graduate college and university courses for the past ten years.

Bowman also has several years of experience in the private security industry focusing on child abuse and domestic investigations, retail asset protection, and violence prevention/threat assessment related to school and personal safety.


When asked what prompted her to write the book, Bowman said she was working in the private security industry and taking self defense classes, hence she received a trainer certificate and began teaching children, teens, and adults about personal safety.


Bowman envisions her book may impact her readers strongly enough that they will consider taking self-defense training. "I hope that after reading my book, people will be more aware of the potential dangers in their surroundings."

Bowman said she trained for two years in self-defense tactics as part of the process of researching the content for her book. She admits when she embarked on writing the book, there was an overall message she wanted to convey to her audience. "Be aware, trust your instincts, be prepared, and be safe," she said.

A Fascination For Lost Treasure

Jessa Lee Scott is the pen name for mother-daughter writers from Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Texas, Jessa Scott moved to Virginia after she was married, and lived in a variety of regions in Virginia.

When asked to describe the key issues of her book,Winds of Gold Scott said that according to legend, Thomas Jefferson Beale and twenty-nine Virginians left Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1817 to hunt on the Western plains. "They found gold and silver north of Santa Fe, and two loads were taken back to Virginia to be buried in Bedford County. Each shipment was to be hidden until all of the treasure was transported and could be divided among the men in the party," she said.


"During his second trip to Lynchburg in 1822, Beale left a letter and three coded messages with Robert Morris, an innkeeper in Lynchburg, with instructions that Morris should read the papers and act accordingly if Beale didn't return within ten years. When Beale failed to reappear, Morris and others subsequently attempted to break the codes."


Scott said that while she was living in Bedford, Virginia, the mystery surrounding the legend of Beale’s treasure appealed her imagination, and she undertook writing a fictional account depicting what might have happened to the treasure.


"This book has it all: suspense, mystery, adventure, and romance. It's perfect for summer vacation reading and winter reading in a cozy chair by the fireplace," she said.
She said as she embarked on the project, the key message she wanted to transmit to her readers was an inspirational one. "Dreams can come true and treasure can be found," she said.


Scott traveled extensively throughout the United States as part of the labor intensive research process and said that her knowledge in American history "provides authenticity for this fictional account of the lost treasure."


Synopsis of book
Kyndra Bailey inherits Faircliffe Plantation and is caught in an intricate web of secrets and deception when her brother disappears and her uncle spends her inheritance. With the loss of Faircliffe looming, Kyndra is forced to ask for help from handsome and mysterious Tyler Andrews. From antebellum Richmond to the Santa Fe Trail, Kyndra and Tyler are entangled in danger, adventure, and passion as they search for Kyndra’s brother and a fortune in gold, silver, and jewels. Knowing that Tyler must return to Texas and Kyndra will return to her beloved Faircliffe, their love seems doomed from the start. Yet as the clues draw them ever deeper into the mystery of Beale’s Treasure, their passion cannot be denied. The treasure may be lost forever but will Kyndra and Tyler be lost to each other forever or is their love strong enough to keep them together?
http://www.jessaleescott.com/index.html

Meet Linda Richardson

Retiring from military life in September 2003, she received a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. In addition, she holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology in Psychology from the University of Maryland at College Park. "I retired from the U.S. Army in Sep 2003. I served my country for over 21 years. I have a Master in Social Work, I'm a licensed Social Worker for the state of Georgia, and I also have two Bachelors one in Sociology and one in Psychology. I basically love being of service to others."



Linda Richardson, author of How Well Are We Playing This Game Called Life: What We Are Not being Told About Our Birthright From A Universal, Scientific, And Individual Perspective said she first thought about writing a book back in 2000 after reading the trilogy Conversations with God by Neale Walsh. "After reading these books several times I had an epiphany about our life and the way we are living it in "this game called life." From that point on, I started visualizing how we could play a better game called life"

Apart from her life as a writer, Richardson is an entrepreneur and launched a business in June 2009. "RiMaLi Inc. RiMali means The Gift of Life and the company has several subsidiary functions. First, as an online school-- School of First Thought that offers general guidance, and counseling techniques for personal growth and development. Secondly, I created a new form of therapy; I'm using the techniques to design therapeutic electronic video games that will assist people with health issues. Thirdly, I have created an independent subsidiary -RiMaLi Creative Images- Small Business to the World, whereby I will offer independent assistance to creative small businesses that wish to contribute something to the world."

She is best known by individuals who have worked with her,as being open-minded and having a mind like a parachute.Why parachute? "Someone once said that a mind can only function best when like a parachute it is open. Linda's mind - open, embracing and landing heavy, weighty and serious issues gently. Her greatest assets are those things that we cannot see, but we know are fully deployed to give us the Linda we know today - her heart and mind."

Individuals who have worked with Linda have also said she is a "unique person with a way about herself that is positively contagious and everyone she meets benefits from their encounter with her".

To Learn More, Visit: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Linda_Richardson

BEHAVIOR: The Impact of Marital Problems on Worker Productivity.

Topic:



BEHAVIOR: The Impact of Marital Problems on Worker Productivity.

Statistics estimate 6 billion dollars in revenue is lost by American business, as a result of decreased worker productivity stemming from marriage and relationship problems.



Summary:

Dr. Beth Erickson, Ph.D., speaker and author based in Edina, Minn., can discuss worker productivity in light of Emotional Wellness Month (October):
"Businesses need to realize that marriage and divorce affect their bottom lines. Not only will people in a happy marriage be better, more productive workers, but also, they will be able to enjoy the safety and security of knowing someone is in their corners and their family is taken care of. This means they have the free attention to focus on other, more creative pursuits. All of this makes them better employees."



She affirmed the workplace and family life cannot be separated. One influences the other in diverse ways. "It's applicable to family. If a person is disengaged at home, they will be disengaged in the workplace," she said. She often invites her listeners on web talk radio "Relationships 101" to refer a co-worker, or supervisor who appears to perpetuate a toxic work culture, to therefore re-shape their approach to work and family life via a consultation. "Examine yourself and see where you can make a contribution in the workplace every day, and realize that everyone can make a difference," she said.

News Contact: Jackie O'Neal,
jackieoneal@helloworld.com Phone: +1-609-334-8621 Web site: http://www.drbetherickson.com





Guest Logistics:

Dr. Beth Erickson lives in Minnesota 1 mile from an NBC affiliate CNN uses
and also close to ABC and NBC in the Twin Cities. Her patients are
used to her media placements so she can re-arrange her schedule at a
moment's notice. I'd be delighted to coordinate an interview





TV Clip:

http://www.drbetherickson.com/Press_Room.html

Dr. Beth is the host of "Relationships 101" on www.webtalkradio.net and a psychotherapist for 30 years. She is a great expert who can offer your audience practical tips on love, health, and family

Italian Celebrity Chef Says 'Every Day Can Be Festive'

Maria Liberati, celebrity chef, is recognized as an expert in Italian cuisine and culture in the U.S. and abroad. Interestingly, she began her career as a model, and said transitioning from modeling to cooking was a natural progression. She said she observed the connection between food and the stylish trends of the Europeans while traveling there on modeling assignments. "There is a presentation aspect that involves color in the dishes with all the fresh ingredients," she said.



Her latest book, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions is a companion to her first book, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking.Consisting of 140 holiday recipes, it also offers wine paring tips, and the author's holiday anecdotes from time spent in Italy.



When asked to describe the premise of her book, Liberati said it is a cookbook designed to help the reader acknowledge that every day can be celebrated, not just holidays- in terms, of food, of course."I have included recipes that are festive but easy enough to cook for even a novice cook but special for anyone at any level to want to experience. there are some traditional recipes that I have 'tweaked' and some new ones. The Holidays covered are Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve, the Epiphany (A holiday for children with kid friendly recipes), Valentine's Day, Carnevale. Even if your family traditionally celebrates other Holidays you can experience these Holidays through the recipes and stories here," she said.



What follows is an interview with Maria Liberati,in which she discusses the inspiration for the book, the take-away she hopes readers will enjoy, and family members that have influenced her writing process.










What prompted you to write the book?



"I live in both Italy and the USA and spend many a Holiday in Italy. Holidays are a lot different in Italy than in the USA and are much less commercial, they are more about the food, family and friends that you share the occasions with than the material gifts you receive. So I wanted people to be able to experience that in some way in their own homes here in the US. That is why I have also included short stories about Holidays in Italy. They can experience the food and special recipes through the easy ,traditional recipes, but it was also necessary to include the short stories to give the full experience and people that are armchair travelers and those that don't like to cook can also enjoy the book."






Is there a key person or group that has inspired you in the process of writing?



"Besides my grandparents and aunts and mother who began my early interests in the culinary arts, I get my inspiration from the mountain town that I live in in Italy and where my great grandparents had their vineyard. No fast food restaurants there and a special occasion can be going for a walk to get artisan made cheese at a special cheese store or a freshly baked pastry at the local bakery. These were the sentiments that my grandparents when they came to the USA-making something simple into something special. So I used this as my inspiration for a Holiday book. Holidays are a time when people seem to only be concerned about what kind of material gifts they are getting but there are so many other ways to enjoy the Holidays and make them stress free and make them a time to be thankful for what you have already!"










As you embarked on writing your book, what was the overall message you wanted to convey to your audience?



"First of all, that you can make any meal into a special occasion with a special meal and don't have to wait for a Holiday to cook these recipes/menus. *Holidays should not be about the material gifts we receive but about the other gifts that we take for granted- having food on the table and friends and family and others to share the food with. These are the real gifts to be thankful for!"

Australian Author Driven To Penetrate American Publishing Market

Professor David Carter of The University of Queensland, in Australia wrote, "While a number of high profile Australian writers are now located in the US and/or routinely have American publishers, little is known currently about the history of the publishing relationship between Australian authors/Australian books and American publishers. What is known at present has largely been the by-product of work on an individual author or oeuvre, for example through biographies or collections of letters for figures such as Christina Stead, Patrick White or Henry Handel Richardson. But the scattered information that is retrievable suggests the existence of a much wider and more significant field of relationships between Australian writers and American publishers and hence the need for substantial research on the dynamics of American publication."

Prof. David Carter went on to point out in his research, America Publishes Australia: Australian Books and American Publishers, 1890-2005:
"The role of American publishers was not confined to popular fiction. Martin Boyd first published The Montforts in the USA in 1928, under the title The Madeleine Heritage, and his subsequent novels were all published simultaneously in Britain and the USA. Lucinda Brayford was a Book Society choice and a best-seller. Barnard Eldershaw’s A House is Built was also published simultaneously in both countries, in 1929, and reviewed favourably in the New York Times (Hetherington). Norman Lindsay published five novels abroad during the 1930s (Holt), first in New York and shortly afterwards in London, at a time when his books were banned or thought likely to be banned in Australia (and so were neglected by local booksellers). W. W. Norton published American editions of Prichard’s Coonardoo and Haxby’s Circus, or Fay’s Circus as the American edition was titled, the latter in a version significantly different from the UK edition. Prichard herself preferred the US edition, but Australian publishers have always reprinted the UK version and the American is largely unknown (Hetherington). Norton published Henry Handel Richardson’s Ultima Thule which was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection in 1929, resulting in sales of over 100,000 copies (Ackland); plus the omnibus edition of Richardson’s The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney (1941), a Readers’ Book Club edition with a preface by Sinclair Lewis, in a print run of 75,000 (Probyn & Steele). Eleanor Dark’s The Timeless Land was first published in New York in the same year, and was another Book-of-the-Month Club selection, as was G. B. Lancaster’s Pageant: A Novel of Tasmania, first published in New York in 1933 (Sturm). More recently, Malouf’s An Imaginary Life (1978) and Child’s Play (1981) were first published in the USA, while Grenville’s Lilian’s Story owes its final, now standard, form to its American edition."


Australian author, Shane Briant said he was prompted to write his thriller Worst Nightmares as a result of his drive to penetrate the American market. "I was determined to have a thriller published in the biggest market in the world – America. And also the U.K. Hitherto, I had had five novels published in Australia," he said.

Briant previously had five thriller published in Australia, in addition to being an actor with a plethora of credits under his belt. "I had had a great career as a film actor, having starred in over 30 feature films worldwide since 1972, and had had five thrillers published in Australia, where I now live. But none had been taken up in America or the U.K. – the biggest English-speaking markets in the world. So I thought carefully about who my target readers might be, and what they might find intriguing. I knew I’d have to come up with a totally engrossing, fast-paced and original story. Personally, I love very dark and disturbing thrillers in the vein of Jeffrey Deaver and Thomas Harris, so I was delighted when New York Times best selling author Katherine Neville read my novel and drew that exact parallel. As did a great many other reviewers," he said.

He said the premise of his current book,Worst Nightmares "explores the concept of how one initial small error of moral judgment on the part of a best selling novelist is slowly compounded by circumstance, resulting in total calamity, as the domino effect kicks in."

Briant, an individual who appreciates literary masterpieces said he was inspired by classic Russian novelists. "Those that have inspired me most would be all the classic Russian novelists of the golden era. Dostoevsky, Gogol, Gorky, Turgenev, Tolstoy. They were, for me, the finest thriller writers that I have read. Since that time, John Le Carre and Martin Cruz Smith have influenced my thinking most. And Deaver, Berry, Tom Rob Smith, Connelly and Crais," he said.

He said he envisions his readers will be impacted by the confrontational nature of his book, but at the same time, he hopes to stimulate his reader's thought process, so they can interact with the ideas of the book. "Although essentially I hope my book will be a thrilling, and at times a hugely confronting read, I hope that it will be in some ways thought-provoking. I hope the reader will ask himself ‘Would I have done as Dermot Nolan did?’ ‘Could I have been driven by despair to have acted improperly?’ Because I tried to make Nolan’s plight totally real and his actions almost excusable. I also would like to think that they will be asking themselves ‘Is it possible that there are those walking the streets who I would never imagine could be would-be killers? People who seem to behave perfectly normally, yet when darkness falls, they reveal the sinister side," he said.

As Briant embarked on crafting his novel, he considered the overall message he wanted to convey to his readers. "When I started writing I wanted to suggest that there are many people ‘out there’ with some very dark thoughts. I explore how people deal with this side of their nature – for we all have such a dark side that we keep in check. Often we are unaware of this side to our personality until we hit real adversity. Only then will we understand our full psyche – when we ‘hit the wall.’ It’s very easy for those of us in modern society who enjoy an untroubled life to judge those that are panicked by adversity and do things they shouldn’t," he said.

Briant's background in acting has sensitized him to understanding the value of being a consummate researcher, in order to be able to portray emotional truth." Research is paramount to a convincing novel. I researched psychosis in great depth. I talked to criminologists and detectives to make my dark character as real as possible. And as for locations, I walk the very streets, eat the food in any restaurants I describe, feel the heat and experience the essential flavors of the city I am writing about," he said.


Visit Shane Briant online: http://www.bmoca.com/praise.html

Learn about Shane Briant's body of work as an actor: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0108470/)

Book Explores The Pain, Joy, Defeat of Battling Drug Addiction

Written by Jackie O'Neal

According to research conducted by Joan F. Epstein and Joseph C. Gfroerer on heroin abuse in the United States, "numerous reports have suggested a rise in heroin use in recent years, which has been attributed to young people who are smoking or sniffing rather than injecting. The purity of heroin has increased to a level that makes smoking and sniffing feasible. The increased purity and concern about AIDS may be causing the shift from injecting to smoking and sniffing among heroin users."



The authors went on to affirm the data they presented come from a variety of sources. One source is the Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG), a network of researchers from major metropolitan areas of the United States and selected foreign countries who meet semiannually to discuss the current epidemiology of drug abuse. It provides ongoing community level surveillance of drug abuse though the collection and analysis of epidemiological and ethnographic research data.



Another source, "Pulse Check", a series of qualitative interviews with ethnographers, treatment professionals and law enforcement agencies which provide a quick and subjective picture of what is happening in drug abuse across the country. The authors described heroin use and effects in detail and pointed out, "A narcotic derived from the opium poppy, heroin was originally developed as a substitute for morphine in an effort to deal with morphine’s addiction problem. However, it was quickly recognized that heroin is even more addictive than morphine. As a result the drug was made illegal. Produced in Mexico and Asia, heroin is reported to be widely available throughout the U.S. At the street level, heroin is "cut" with a variety of substances, leading to variation in purity over time and in different areas."



Their research noted estimates of the purity of heroin have shown substantial increases between 1984 and 1995.



In terms of the effects of heroin, the authors wrote: "When injected, sniffed or smoked, heroin binds with opiate receptors found in many regions of the brain. The result is intense euphoria, often referred to as a rush. The rush lasts only briefly and is followed by a couple of hours of a relaxed, contented state. In large doses, heroin can reduce or eliminate respiration. Withdrawal symptoms include: nausea, dysphoria, muscle aches, lacrimation or rhinorrhea, pupillary dilation, piloerection or sweating, diarrhea, yawning, fever, and insomnia."



Further, Joan F. Epstein and Joseph C. Gfroerer examined the trends in heroin use, its increase in use, and consequences. The authors went on to note, "Data suggest that there has been a rise in heroin use in recent years and that this rise has occurred among younger persons who are smoking or sniffing heroin rather than injecting. Some indicators exhibit an overall rise in heroin use, some display a rise in heroin use among youth, college students, and adolescents in small metropolitan areas and others suggest that new users tend to smoke or sniff rather than inject. In addition, there is some evidence that the time between first use of marijuana and first use of heroin is decreasing. "



Jerry Seper writing for THE WASHINGTON TIMES pointed out that "heroin use in the United States increased substantially during the past decade, with more than a million people nationwide believed to be addicted to the drug, according to Rogelio E. Guevara, the Drug Enforcement Administration's chief of operations."



Statistics estimate there are believed to be at least 700,000 people in the United States who need heroin addiction treatment but are not receiving it.



Dr. Barbara Sinor, in her book, Addiction: What's Really Going On? Inside A Heroin Treatment Program explores the struggles faced by individuals working to free themselves of drug addiction. " The book follows approximately ten years in the life of a drug counselor (my friend and colleague) working in a methadone treatment facility located in southern California. It accurately portrays the lives of her clients' struggles of trying to be free from heroin and other drugs. It contains powerful true stories woven together to form a tapestry filled with pain, joy, defeat, and success. It also unravels the questions relating to the use of methadone, detoxification from heroin and methadone, how our society has fallen into it's drug use, and what's really going on in "the life" of those with an addiction," she said.

She said her colleague,Deborah McCloskey who passed away in 2006,asked her to compile notes, and that prompted the writing of the book. "She shared notes with me over several years, in a book format. We worked together until her death and I am honored that I was able to complete this potent book which brings a "gritty and gripping look as the reader enters the lives of those who are like crabs trying to get out of a barrel," she said.



When asked how she envisioned the book would impact readers, Dr. Sinor said: "The field of addiction is a short step from childhood abuse and this issue has been my focus for most of my counseling career. My books Gifts From the Child Within and An Inspirational Guide for the Recovering Soul both surround the topic of healing and recovery from painful past childhood abuse, incest, negative programing, and PTSD issues. With evidence that a large percentage of child abusers were addicted to a substance at the time of the abuse and the fact that many adults who were abused in childhood became drug addicts and/or alcoholics, it is clear the two topics are tightly connected."

"Because this book surrounds the life of Deborah, not my own, I can only relay what I know of her intention to share her story and those of her clients with the public. Deborah wanted the public to become more aware of our nation's addiction population and what was really going on surrounding drug and alcohol abuse. She was torn between realizing most of her clients were content to stay on methadone even though she struggled to teach them they could be free of all drugs. She wanted the public to be aware of the real life of those addicted to any drug and/or alcohol and felt there was a better way to help those addicted and their children. Her message is to educate, understand, and have compassion for those caught in the trap of addiction."

The process of researching material for the book included interviews with recovering addicts and drug counselors. "My research consisted of educating myself with the issues surrounding heroin addiction and the use of methadone. I studied and talked with counselors, active and recovering addicts, and other professionals in the addiction field to gather my information. The data and statistics were taken from national agencies and governmental data banks online. Most of my contribution to this book is found in the Introduction and the Epilogue, however, I interjected much of the technical information throughout the book. The Foreword is written by Mark Parrino, the President of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence which states this book, "...effectively captures the dynamic activity within the OTP and demonstrates the incredible relationship between the patients and the caregivers," she said.


Website: www.DrSinor.com
Blog: www.drsinor.wordpress.com

How Parents And Children Confront The Dangers of The Digital World

How Parents And Children Confront The Dangers of The Digital World
By Jackie O'Neal

Jennifer Wong, author of No Bullies Allowed noted "bullying behavior can assume a wide range of actions;" Wong went on to point out, "Unfortunately, the advent of new forms of communication technology has added to the list of ways in which children and youths can be victimized by others." In terms of cyber-bullying alone, statistics estimate, 42 percent of children have been bullied while online and one in four report it happening more than once. Further, 58 percent of school age kids report not revealing online harassment to their parents, or other adults.

Dr. Uma Gupta, in an article Can Internet Babies Coo? pointed out the devastating impact of cyber-bullying. Gupta pointed out," Cyber-bullying is the use of any and all forms of digital media such as instant messaging, blogs, websites, emails, chat rooms, and cell phones with the sole intent to cause harm. This may include intent to humiliate, threaten, embarrass, cause emotional distress, reputation loss, demand submission, perpetuate hate, and distort the identities and motives of others."

Gupta explained that the anonymity inherent in the process of cyber-stalking makes the experience even more insidious."In an unsupervised digital world, with few laws and no boundaries, where identities are fluid and fiction becomes fact overnight, cyber-bullying is an exciting game for digital predators. While in face-to-face bullying the identity of the bully is known, in cyber-bullying the identity of the bully is often masked or anonymous. Bullying is restricted to a geographic location whereas cyber-bullying is a drama played out on a world-wide stage with free and ready access to anyone, anywhere, at any time to watch or participate in the process. In an unsupervised digital world, with few laws and no boundaries, where identities are fluid and fiction becomes fact overnight, cyber-harassment is an exciting game for digital predators."

In terms of Internet pornography, more than 11 million teens report viewing pornography online. According to the Pew Research Center, "most Americans say parents are primarily to blame when children are exposed to explicit sex or graphic violence."

The Pew survey reported, fully 79% say inadequate parental supervision ­ rather than inadequate laws ­ is mostly responsible for children being exposed to that sort of offensive material; there are no significant political or religious differences on this point. And by more than ten-to-one (86%-8%), the public believes that parents, rather than the entertainment industry, bear the most responsibility for keeping children from seeing sex and violence in TV and movies."

The research conducted by Pew also revealed that parents are fraught with worries over what their own children are being exposed to in the media, but they praised the tools that help them "make entertainment choices for their families." Further, the research conducted by Pew demonstrated "roughly six-in-ten parents (62%) say there is enough information available to help them decide whether movies, TV, video games and music lyrics are appropriate. Majorities of parents also say they have at least a fair amount of trust in ratings for TV, movies and video games, as well as advisory labels for music. In addition, roughly half of parents who go online (51%) say they have a filtering system to prevent access to pornography over the web."



Danielle Tiano, author of Temptation of A Generation recognizes the dangers of, as Dr. Uma Gupta put it, "an unsupervised digital world." Her book series, she said offers empowerment for both parents and children to keep the channels of communication open.The book series, focuses on the potential dangers of today’s most popular technologies; Cyber Bullying, Social Networking, Cell Phone/Texting, and Internet Pornography. Based in Southern California, Tiano has been involved in charitable endeavors, most recently including Miller’s Children’s Hospital, The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and The Karen Child Family Foundation.


In the following interview, Tiano discusses her book series and approach to the creative process.






1.What led you to write your book(s) and was there a pivotal event you can share?



There are many circumstances that bring children to use technology in the wrong ways. This has lead to children going down the wrong path in this technological age. I wanted to give back and help in an area that needed to be brought to light. Every parent, and every person that I have talked to about the series has been affected by technology and it's dangers in one way or another. Parents and teens need to be educated of the potential dangers of today’s popular technologies.


2.How do you approach the creative process when you decide to write?



I sit outside, usually by the ocean as it inspires me. I like to be surrounded by nature. I also enjoy writing at night when the rest of the world is sleeping, as my creative energy flows better with no interruptions. I have to birth the characters first, create a hero, and then I let it flow. It is like a puzzle that continues to grow into a completed piece of work. I absolutely love the process, and watching it unfold into a magic page that jumps out at you.



3.Are there any influentials in your life that have encouraged you to stay the course as an author?



Yes, there are hundreds of authors I have read and respected, presently and in my youth, that have helped me in my journey. I love stories, the ones you hear, read and watch. Everyone has a story to be told. Children also inspire me as their constant curiosity swallows my every need to write.



4. Can you explain the premise of your book?



I wrote the Temptation Series to give parents a tool to open communication with their children, and to empower children to realize they are not alone in the obstacles of this technology driven world. The series focuses on the potential dangers of today’s most popular technologies; Cyber Bullying, Social Networking, Cell Phone/Texting, and Internet Pornography.




5.What have been some of your high and low points in being a writer, and in the process of promoting your book?



The low points are driving sales, and making parents understand that the books and their subject matter are a necessity, an investment in their children's socially healthy development.

The high points are everything else! Having a parent hug me and tell me how much I helped their entire family. A letter or thank you card I get from a child or a school on how I impacted their life. Hearing myself on the radio or seeing myself on television, being interviewed, helping others. Seeing a child sit on a parents lap while they are being read my words, that is the best!!!! Having a child relate to one of the characters so they no longer feel alone.


6. Apart from writing, what other endeavors, or hobbies are you involved in?



Building a solid marriage. Working with charities. Volunteering myself for children's story times. Staying active outdoors as I love all sports. I have to do something active every day to keep a balance. I used to race (snow ski professionally). I love to learn and grow most of all. Every day I try to pick up a new skill or learn something new. Mental stimulation is very important to me!




7. What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a writer?



Do your research, read as many books as you can, and take writing classes. Pick a subject and run with it, and take criticism lightly. Be sure to learn patience because being a writer is a lot more work than you think!


8. Do you have any plans for the future-work related and/or personal?



My future endeavors will continue to focus on a child's growth and their continued success in life. I hope to author many more books in my future, to let kids know they are not alone.




9. Describe a typical day in you're writing life.



Absolute focused alone time. You need space and quiet time with no interruptions. As a writer you have to find or create an environment that works for you. A typical day is a lot of coffee and none stop writing with no distractions. Everything else needs to go on the side lines or you will not get anywhere with your story.




10.Tell us something about yourself outside of the job of writing. For example, your interests, an experience you want to
share, something you are proud of.



I am a solution based woman. I am most proud of all the people I have helped and brought together throughout the years. I have impacted many different lives. This is definitely my biggest accomplishment!

Coping with Disabiilty and Loss

Coping with Disabiilty and Loss

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