When we think about keeping kids safe over the summer, we might think about sunscreen, biking and swim safety; or hiking, campfires and the first “sleep away” camp. But who are our kids spending time with? When we think about who might hurt children, images of the stereotypical person lurking in a park luring children with candy come to mind. Teaching children how to be safe around strangers and how to access help from safe strangers if needed IS important. But mostly, the “s

Now that the #MeToo movement, the Cosby trial and the number of resignations by men who abused their power across the political, media and entertainment spectrum has got everyone’s attention, what can we do to keep the momentum moving forward? We have work to do. All of us. We perpetuate the pervasive culture of misogyny and violence by not speaking up, every time men are contemptuous of women, women are dismissive of other women, and men are indifferent to other men who triv

Books stacked in precarious piles, surrounded by faded boxes filled with papers and binders full of information—to the naked eye it looks like chaos. However, there is a certain purpose in the general clutter. In fact, the materials act as a timeline. They detail the transition that Turning Points Network’s education curriculum has taken over the years. Over twenty years ago, Turning Points Network started building relationships with schools in Sullivan County. With only one

The mother of two teenage boys was asking the other day, “How do I keep my sons protected against claims of rape? Kids are going to explore their sexuality,” she went on, “so what happens when consensual sexual discovery suddenly becomes perceived as a forced conclusion by one party or the remorse or regret of the next morning, followed by accusations.” It’s a fair question. And it’s being asked a lot. But all too often there is a victim and the victim is blamed. She shou

“Most of my family and friends tried to talk me out of marrying him,” Tracy’s story begins. “But I was young and thought I was in love.” They moved a few towns away and it wasn’t long before her new husband took control of her life, insisting that she dress a certain way, fix her hair in a plain style and never wear makeup. She was not allowed to go out without him and became isolated from friends and family. If he found her wearing makeup or dressing up in any way, he accus

The cloudy, drizzly day we woke up to on Saturday May 6 did not deter some 600 volunteers and participants in the Steppin’ Up to End Violence Walk and Fun Run and who collectively raised over $90,000 (with more to come) in support of Turning Points Network and its services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence throughout Sullivan County. About half of TPN’s annual fundraising of $200,000+ supports the education programs brought by TPN to Sullivan County Schools that r