Domestic abuse against women

Domestic Violence Hurts Everyone

By Kristen Tantillo

Staff Writer

It’s hard to look for the light when you are lost in the dark.”-Anonymous.

Every nine seconds, a woman is battered in America according to http://www.Rileycenter.org. Domestic abuse is the number one killer of women in America. Even if muggings and car accidents are combined, it does not add up to how many women are beaten and killed. Over 95 % of women who are in relationships are battered, says the Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report.  They also state that this abuse caused 30 percent of women physical defects and disabilities. About 5 billion jobs are lost in America due to this violence, because of the employee’s absenteeism.

Being the most unreported crime, this abuse is present in 60 % of marriages. People wonder why these women let this abuse run their lives and often their children‘s lives as well. 90 % of abusive relationships are witnessed by the victim’s children, says the National Crime Statistics Report. Women who are beaten down have a greater fear of leaving than to staying. These victims will do whatever they have to avoid the traumatic episodes of violence. Trying to please these impossible tyrants is exactly that, impossible. No matter what it is never good enough.

If the victim puts effort into her appearance, her spouse will immediately suspect she is cheating, and will be “punished” for looking presentable. If the victim does not put the effort out into her appearance, her husband will verbally abuse her, which will quickly turn to physical abuse. It is a lose – lose situation. Take action and seek help. Abuse is never okay for any situation. Set up emergency transportation, safe housing, emergency food, and clothing and flee.

“To be a survivor–first you must bleed. You bleed all that was inside of you: the pain, the memories, the fear, the wounds fusing together, the ties to what was in, all its forms. You bleed not once but several times. And when you are empty, you either fade into a shadow or find the strength, and courage to live. When you stand up again, you are for a time, hollow–empty, like a bottle of beer lying on the street, cracked and reeking of its bitter contents. Then you fill yourself up with the new, your recreate yourself–you reform. You don’t have the same heart or mind. The way you see the world is forever changed.”-Lynn Marie, domestic abuse victim.

If you or someone you know is being abused, hotlines are available. Completely confidential : (1-877-448-8678). Online help is also offered: e-mail help@avhotline.org.

Cumberland County softball has heart

 

By KRISTEN TANTILLO

Staff Writer

 

Andrea Santiago up to bat for the lady duke

 

 

Heart.  This is the key word that describes the Dukes softball team. This team is made up of a group of fifteen girls who play with passion and intensity every day and are making their way through the playoffs. The girls who are a part of this team support and encourage each other every step of the way through this season.

Coach Bud, who has been coaching for 47 years, six years with the Dukes, says “Softball prepares these girls for life. Watching them overcome obstacles, find their way and grow is very rewarding. Having fifteen different personalities on the team is always interesting. The girls will bicker, but in the end they all bond and become one. Challenging them, we never know what the outcome will be. Having the different girls who come from different schools gives them a chance to be exposed to the game and gives them the playing time they deserve that they might not have got in high school.”

Coach Bud’s love for the game goes even farther. He makes sure that all of his players have above a 3.0 average in school. By keeping them in check with their schoolwork, the Dukes made the Academic All American for three years and are working toward their fourth year in a row. That is a major accomplishment. These girls are amazing representatives of CCC.

When Assistant Coach Holliday was asked for her most memorable moment of the season, she replied “When we finally beat Gloucester County College 3-1. We were tied and we came back and won. We have never beaten them.”  Coach Holliday played for CCC when she attended this college. Her love for the game is so strong she came back to teach and watch her player’s progress. She plans on staying to coach for years to come.

CCC team member, Andrea Santiago, was the only Dukes player who made the Pre- Season All American team. Having played softball for over fifteen years, she has undeniable talent that does not go unrecognized. “I had no idea what that meant at first,” she admits, but once explained to her, she was ecstatic. “Everyone has always pushed me to do the best I can so I guess it paid off.” Andrea plays second or third base but is always the cleanup hitter when at bat. Talk about power.  “I really love the game. Getting dirty and building strong bonds with the girls is something I will always remember.  It’s the sport where you don’t just gain friends for a season, but for a lifetime!”

Coach Bud doesn’t forget to keep in touch with all of his players. He believes that being on a personal level with his players creates a stronger connection with them.

“They pick us up when we are down. They are the binding to the book, but also help fill the chapters,” said Danielle Spatafore about her coaches. “I love our van rides. We get to know each other and learn all the different personalities. We want to go to Minnesota for the Championship; that has been our goal all along and is much of what we talk about.”

Being a supportive family is the key to having a successful team and that is exactly what the Dukes are.

Summer fun is closer than you think

 

The Boardwalk is one of Jersey’s famous attractions and is an incredible way to enjoy the summer with family and friends.

 

 

By KRISTEN TANTILLO
Staff Writer

 

Now that the sun is setting later and the weather is getting warmer, it is time to start having the summer fun we have all waited for.  There are many entertaining adventures to discover right here in South Jersey.

Take the Shore, for instance. Not only is catching up on that long anticipated tan an option, but parasailing and jet skiing is also something to look into. Those thrilling rides are reasonably priced. For family fun, there are water parks in Ocean City and Wildwood that are priced less than those at Six Flags or Dorney Park. The drive is a lot shorter too. They have rollercoasters and goofy little games that will light up anyone’s face. Prices vary according to the amount of tickets purchased. Go to www.wildwoodsnj.com for information. To make sure these memories last, there are picture booths along the boardwalk, so pile as many loved ones possible in for the snapshot.

If romance is what you are looking for, try walking shoeless along the water with only the lights from the old rollercoasters and the Ferris wheel guiding your steps. Taking a walk in a nearby park at sunset while feeding the ducks will always spark summer love. Barbequing is also a spicy option. Eating outside in the warm air will also be refreshing. Ice cream is the way to any person’s heart. A cheap dessert can turn into one of the most fun things to do this summer.

Town festivals are pretty prominent here. Vineland has many festivals throughout the summer where great food and amusing rides are found. Millville and Hammonton always have some gatherings to check out. This is a plus since there is a chance friends and maybe even family will show up. Signs will be posted around these towns, so keep an eye open.

Millville has recently opened up a Motor Sports Race Track where anyone is able to arrive and drive. A day or seasonal license is required

and the cost starts at $25.00. Celebrities are always arriving in Millville to race their cars when they have free time. The Motor Sports Park is close and not too costly. Go to www.NJMP.com for more information.

If all else fails and you find the urge to escape the confines of the state, baseball games are also exciting and enjoyable at any age. The Philadelphia Phillies have home games quite frequently and the drive is only a little less than an hour. Game tickets are also under $20.00 at www.stubhub.com.

Summer is the season where everything is possible. It is the time of year where memories are made and the days as well as nights will never be forgotten.

Cracking down on sexting

When it comes to maintaining a good reputation, sexting can be just as bad as sleeping around.

 

By KRISTEN TANTILLO

Staff Writer

Cell phones are a major method of communication. Whether it be talking on the phone, texting, or sending picture/video messages, this is how we keep in touch. Pre-paid phones are easily accessible and are sold almost everywhere we look. The phones are extremely convenient and easy to use for Generation Y because we all probably received our first cellphone when we were young teenagers. Almost everyone is carrying a cellphone; it seems that even young children are talking on their own Blackberries.

Since minors have access to cell phones, they keep in touch with many people. Young teens and children are exposed to more adult situations resulting in a loss of innocence, which has caused an outbreak of “sexting.” Sexting is when nude or provocative pictures or text are sent or exchanged with another person via cell phone. 

This is mostly common for people who are in relationships. According to a survey on MSN.com 39 percent of teens have sent inappropriate pictures and 48 percent of teens said that they have received these pictures. What these teens do not realize when sending them is that there is a large chance that other people will be able to view the picture as well. Over 15 percent of the people who received the sexting messages have admitted to “sharing”  the photos with others. This can be very degrading to the sender if he or she were to find out other peers had seen the intimate photos.

“That thought hadn’t even crossed my mind when I sent the picture that someone other than my boyfriend would see it,” said a 20- year-old female of CCC who would like to stay anonymous.

When the picture leaks out, it can cause humiliation, torture and embarrassment. Jessica Logan was an 18-year -old girl from Ohio who sexted her boyfriend pictures of herself. She thought he was a safe and reliable guy and would have the respect not to share them with others. After they broke up, the pictures of her showed up all over school and she was harassed by  both girls and boys. This torment went so far that Jessica fell into depression and eventually committed suicide. Unfortunately, Logan’s life is not the only one that ended due to sexting.

Sexting is more than just a casual way of being provocative, and can cause incredible embarrassment for many. Jessica Logan’s boyfriend must now face the possibility that he helped cause her death. Logan’s mother is trying to take legal action to punish him for the loss of her daughter. 

Teens who are caught sending or receiving nude pictures of minors can be punished with possession of child pornography, and can go to jail. An adult (over the age of 18) that possesses the pictures faces harsher sentencing and is punished more severely. 

According to ABC News, Alabama authorities arrested four middle-school students for exchanging nude photos of themselves. And in Rochester, N.Y., a 16-year-old boy is now facing up to seven years in prison for forwarding a nude photo of a 15-year-old girlfriend to his friends.

“I have received a mass video-message titled ‘Pass The Slut On’, which showed a naked girl doing a little sexy dance and showing off her body. I was  very taken back by this text message considering it was very unexpected and I had no idea who she was,” said Andrew Williams, a 23-year-old male  student at CCC.

Sexting is an indecent act which can have grave consequences. It is more common for younger teens to sext but adults do it too. A survey on abc.com confirmed that 20 percent of adults, ages 20-26 send pictures of themselves to be a little “flirtatious.” Misusing technology can hinder employment opportunities,  and inappropriate pictures will hurt a job seeker’s chance of being hired, according to Dr. Charles J. Kocher, a criminal justice professor at CCC.

He also added, “These teens are not mature enough to understand that your study buddy is not someone you are going to be with forever. Putting all your trust into that one person is an immature action. Schools should help the students understand what sexting is, and what the dangers are. Households should instill family values to prevent this, even peer groups would be very helpful. ” No matter what methods of education are used, it is crucial that young people are made aware of how sexting can negatively impact their lives.