Kayla Woody writes about the Kasey Alert, an alert system to help locate missing at-risk adults in Oklahoma between the ages of 18 and 59. The alert is one step in the right direction when it comes to addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, but Native families still face barriers to locating their loved ones and there is still work to be done, says Woody.
Domestic Violence Advocate Melody Ybarra with House of Hope and CPN Police Sergeant Donnie Lewis received a scholarship to attend the Conference on Crimes Against Women, which is held annually in Dallas.
Bystander intervention is a vital part of the fight against domestic violence. An engaged bystander can help someone by intervening before, during or after the situation. CPN House of Hope’s Kayla Woody offers strategies for being an effective bystander.
Documenting abusive events when you spot them can validate abusive experiences and serve as a critical tool in taking legal action with criminal charges, divorce or even child custody, writes House of Hope’s Kayla Woody.
When there is violence in a home, abusive behavior becomes the standard for relationships. Intergenerational violence happens when the abuse affects several generations within a family. In order to prevent this cycle of abuse from continuing generationally there must be more awareness around the issue, writes CPN House of Hope Prevention Specialist Kayla Woody.
There are many barriers to safety in an abusive relationship, including difficulties finding basic needs like housing and the financial stability to meet those needs. CPN House of Hope prevention specialist Kayla Woody outlines legal protections in Oklahoma that can help.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can be caused by a wide range of events, including natural disasters, combat, bullying, accidents and historical trauma. The Native population in the U.S. suffers the highest rates of PTSD, along with Latino and African American populations. CPN Behavioral Health Services and House of Hope offer a number of resources for those experiencing PTSD.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s House of Hope partnered with Oklahoma Baptist University to stage an exhibition during Sexual Assault Awareness Month titled What Were You Wearing? in an effort to change public perspective about victim-blaming.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Grand Casino Hotel & Resort’s Security Training Department hosted a two-day Security Training Academy including a special presentation from CPN House of Hope’s Prevention Specialist Kayla Woody. “We discussed what signs to pay attention to with casino patrons and employees to better assist them with safety and security,” Woody said.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual observance during April that brings attention to sexual violence and educates communities about ways to prevent this from happening. Denim Day (April 26) invites participants to wear jeans with a purpose to support survivors and raise awareness about sexual violence.