Category: Uncategorized

It’s going to be a pretty busy week at FHO headquarters as we head to Columbia, SC and the National Advocacy Center for what is my very favorite course to teach. I’ll try to keep posts regular, but things may get away from me–we’ll see. I hope everyone celebrating the 4th of July holiday enjoyed their longish weekend. We got away to the mountains for a minute, but still managed to make it home in time to watch the big game. And what a game it was!

I had screaming fast wifi at the cabin, so here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

Who could have seen women arrested for things like this? Oh right–so many of us. Thankfully, charges were dropped.

Also, not for nothing, but we knew it wouldn’t stop with abortion

In other stories of injustice…

The CEO of Planned Parenthood on why her recent miscarriage only strengthened her commitment to women’s health

Ah yes–people ignoring sexual violence and still getting paid [well]

Apps that can help improve your writing (I’ve been using Grammerly for years and love it)

In case you missed it, ANA’s letter to DHS on the treatment of migrant families at the border (PDF)

New study on brain injuries from domestic violence

Why the USWNT’s open queerness matters

Forever and ever, amen:

My wish for my daughters is that they have the tenacity of Crystal Dunn, the skill of Tobin Heath, the strength of Julie Ertz, the earned confidence of Megan Rapinoe, and the paycheck of one of those guys on the men’s team that didn’t qualify for their World Cup. #USWMNT

— sdavis (@sara_davis90) June 28, 2019

A few things happening over here–one, it’s Pride month, y’all, so that’s always a fun time here in DC. Also, I had a milestone birthday this weekend, so much of my time was spent enjoying both the wife and best friend being in town to help me celebrate. But the really big news is that I am heading to Japan next week for several weeks, so FHO will be dark while I am gone. I am taking a few weeks off and I am not taking my laptop. This week will be the last week of posts until July 1st.

I’ll be heading to Williamsburg this week to teach for the Army, so I’ll have a few days out of the office. But you can expect a new Articles of Note (now that the strangulation compilation is live), as well as a couple of other goodies before we go dark for 3 weeks. And, I did manage to catch up on some reading during a serious bout of insomnia the other night–here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

“Commit to the process and you’ll become good enough, soon enough”. Excellent advice here.

“When I run about it, people will notice“

Related: a leaked report on the murder of indigenous women

After VA Beach Friday afternoon, the fact that the GOP killed this bill is particularly frustrating

This twitter thread is challenging but important–I encourage you to read the whole thing. It speaks volumes about the realities of our healthcare system, and mental health treatment in particular:

1/ It has been exactly one year since I lost my dad. The events that led up to his death are dark, but I think it is important to share what and why it happened as Let me start by introducing my dad…

— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) June 2, 2019

____________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find the newest research brief, Applying The Strangulation Research To Expert Testimony In Cases With Adult Victims. Or purchase the complete set of three (Strangulation, Aging Bruises, and Consensual Sex Injury) for a special price.

Let’s keep this party going, shall we? Courtesy of Samantha Bee, it’s Sex Ed for Senators, and I think it caps the week off nicely. Obviously not suitable for many workplaces (sadly):

_____________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download. Plus, coming soon: the newest research compilation, Applying The Strangulation Research To Expert Testimony In Cases With Adult Victims.

Greetings from cold and rainy DC. I was super privileged to spend a very satisfying day with the NY state IAFN chapter last Friday talking testimony. A lot of great conversation, many insightful questions, and just such good people. So much fun.

I’m back home this week because the work never stays put on the calendar, and now all my April and May work is August and September work, so it gives me plenty of time to wrap up some odds and ends, and maybe get something new going. I’m also prepping for the big graduation in a few weeks, and after that, a couple weeks in Japan. But for now, I’m staying put; here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

How women and minorities are claiming their right to rage

Generic HIV drugs will soon be within reach

I frequently play patriarchy chicken–most often in airports and on airplanes

NIWRC has a new special collection on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Come on, Nike, do better

Let’s talk about how to end sexual violence

A poem to live by:

This is just to say

I have said no
To the thing
You wanted me
To do for free

and which
you were probably
hoping
I’d think was an opportunity

Forgive me
I am too busy
And it is
Not a good use of my time

— Dr Amy Fuller (@amyfullermorgan) May 10, 2019

_________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

Because of the volume of offers to review the latest research compilation, I cannot respond individually to everyone. I have reached out to those who I have asked to review at this point. So allow me to say thank you to everyone who sent me their CVs. I will hold on to them for future compilations. Your willingness to review was epic much appreciated!

A happy National Nurses Week this week! Here’s hoping you are feeling the love wherever you are working this week–I will have the good fortunate of spending part of it with my friends and colleagues in New York where I will be collaborating on a testimony workshop with members of the NY State IAFN chapter. Seriously looking forward to that trip.

Also, Ramadan Mubarak to all observing this holy month. Peace and blessings to you.

I worked most of the weekend, but I managed to get a fair bit of reading done. Here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

Frustrating news from the Pentagon

And the military story I want to hear

Coworkers keep mixing up people of color

Whew, this discrimination suit at Mount Sinai is no joke. Wishing peace and power to all those women.

Confronting institutionalized racism in nursing

The myth of testosterone

This story about women having to do men’s emotional labor was a ride

Wonder if this really will buy you more time

If you could win a Pulitzer for a headline…(also, seriously)

The best thing I saw this weekend:

To attend her son Stephan’s commencement ceremony, Sharonda Wilson was unable to attend her own from Ferris State University. Learning this, @cmichprez contacted FSU President Eisler and was able to confer her degree on behalf of FSU’s president and trustees. #cmichgraduation pic.twitter.com/anCSTHDCdC

— Central Michigan U. (@CMUniversity) May 4, 2019

__________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

For those of you celebrating, I hope your Pesach/Easter was filled with peace and love (and good food). We had a house full, and the aftermath took a full day from which to recover, but it’s still one of my favorite holidays of the year. Especially because this year the guests ranged from 10 months old to 90. I was heartbroken to wake up Sunday to the news in Sri Lanka; one of the couples around our Seder table had recently been there, which is really neither here, nor there, but just one of those small details that make me cherish the here and now in all its small and messy glory. With the cooking and the girlchild being in town and all of the cleanup after, there really wasn’t much time for surfing, but here are a couple things that caught my eye since last we spoke:

Getting home from MSU Friday was an ordeal that included multiple modes of transportation, a canceled flight, and a lucky spot on the standby list. On the 2-hour bus ride (!) that unexpectedly became part of my journey, I finished the new Beyonce documentary. Here’s your reading list once you’ve watched it (and you really should watch it).

Stop treating nonprofits like businesses

A look at Queens’ Human Trafficking Intervention court

Your weekly dose of rage-inducement

…And maybe the story you need this week

Forced sterilization is not just a historical artifact

As someone who believes in getting paid for their labor, this article really spoke to me. I do not work for exposure. That’s not to say I don’t donate my time to causes I deem to be important to me, but there is a calculus behind that decision, and it’s one I make. If you ask me to speak, you must pay me.

___________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

I’m heading back up to MSU this week, and then I come home to seder-hosting duties (we’ll be 10 at my table this year), so the week is a hectic one. I’m trying to finish off the draft of my next FHO research brief– my goal is to have it in the store by the end of next month, so I spent most of the weekend working on that while Sash was down at Ft. Bragg. But I managed some late night surfing–here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

Mothers vs fathers on the campaign trail

Applying for a new job and need a great example of a cover letter? This is an excellent one.

A tragic tale of being a woman in the world

Time for women in the world to set the agenda.

If you are a list person, this is a good read

America’s leaders need sex ed

By now you’ve probably heard about the woman whose work allowed black holes to be photographed, but have you also heard about how this has made her a target for trolls?

Tips for receiving critical feedback

Protecting yourself on airlines

Here’s the piece you need to start your week off right

_______________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

After a fantastic weekend back in the 216, I’m in my writing chair and staring down deadlines, so we’ll make this quick. I’m back in the office this week, and then–well, I don’t really know, because the travel calendar has gone pear-shaped. I do know I’m on the road next week, and then we roll into Passover (we’re hosting seder, so much planning left to do). After that…really it’s anyone’s guess right now. So here’s what caught my eye as I desperately procrastinated since last we spoke:

Things you can do to end the nonprofit Hunger Games

What a fantastically simple (yet lifesaving) idea

Someone is always trying to kill you: this amazing piece about women in Honduras is worth the (long) read

An interesting idea: deep listening

I can’t believe only 5 states currently ban the practice of pelvic exams without consent–NY is trying to be #6

How to criticize with kindness

This opinion piece is beautiful (and if you don’t follow Charlotte on Twitter, you really should)

Finally, here’s a bit of inspiration to take you into your week (in case you haven’t seen it yet):

_____________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

Well, I was supposed to be working on the west coast this week, and suddenly–I am not. That’s just how this goes, and that’s okay, because I have *projects*, so this week at home is a gift. I head to CLE on Friday to see the fam, and rejoice in the fact that the girlchild has committed to the University of Virginia, so we will be rocking the orange and blue around here for at least the next four years (we are insanely proud of this kid).

It was a pretty glorious weekend all the way around as we took advantage of gorgeous weather and peak cherry blossoms to spend some time in our city and be among (all) the people. Sash headed up to Brooklyn yesterday for work, though, so I had a bit of time to surf. Here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

Oh my, lets be better than this

Actually–here’s a pretty good example

What’s happening at Pine Ridge isn’t getting nearly the attention it deserves, which is disheartening

This is old, but still relevant: the art of asking

April, of course, is Sexual Assault Awareness Month: find all your resources here

I have to agree with Rebecca Traiser here: Joe Biden isn’t the answer

Have I been doing this work too long? Because…

Not an ounce of seasoning…. pic.twitter.com/4IpR04TXxh

— Killmonger’s Widow (@GorillaMama2U) March 30, 2019

_______________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

I’m heading to ATL in the morning to teach for a few days, but before I head out, it’s worth mentioning a couple things. One, it’s spring here in the District, which is a gift. Every damn year this city takes my breath away. The cherry blossoms are out, and well–you know the rest if you’ve seen them, and if you haven’t, might I suggest putting it on your to-do list. Two, we are in the throws of college notifications around here, so everyone’s just a bit on edge in my house. I don’t know who’s more anxious–the girlchild or my wife. It’s a toss-up really. Prayers would be appreciated that we all make it through this with our faculties intact. (I know she will end up where she’s supposed to be, and she’s already been accepted to one school, so we know the kid is going somewhere. Four more to go.) Anyway, the sun was out, the wife was baking this weekend, and I had a few projects of my own going on, but here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

Speaking of college admissions

Related (but in the best possible way)

What happened in Christchurch is unspeakable, yet terribly familiar at this point. A lot has been written, but 2 things worth mentioning: Not debating with Islamophobes and a piece from the folks at the Capital Gazette (who have seen their own terrible violence)

EMRs haven’t been the revolution we were promised

Tattoos as therapy

I am ready to vote for her if she runs

How Inuit parents raise their children without yelling

In the South, many gay and bisexual black men don’t know the extent of the HIV problem… And, if they do, they may not have access to the tools to prevent and treat the disease.

10 life lessons horrible bosses taught me

Some of the best (condensed) presentation tips

A pretty important ruling against nurses in this case. Some lessons for practice that shouldn’t be ignored (whether you agree with the Board decision or not).

“A beautiful woman dies and a man feels bad about it” A perfect 2(ish) minute animated monologue by the crime writer Laura Lippman on the problem with dead women.

_________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

IAFN is hosting the continuation of their series,  Medical Forensic Evaluation of Asylum Seekers; part 3 of 5 will take place next month, Physical Exam and Utilizing the Istanbul Protocol. The session will be held April 17th at 1pm ET. CEs will be available. The live session will be capped at 200 participants, but it will be archived in the Online Learning Center.

Still to come (dates TBA):

• Specific Forms of Torture & Corresponding Clinical Findings
  
• Writing a Medical-Legal Affidavit & Providing Oral Testimony

Register for the webinar here.

____________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

Well, I’m heading off to Michigan State University for a few days, kicking off the next major travel cycle. March has me bouncing all over this country, ending in the Seattle area, with some ATL and Ft Bragg in between. I’ll be glad to catch spring where I can find it–it seems to be teasing us here in DC, but I’m not certain it’s much more than that–a tease. There was still snow this weekend, and that was ok since I worked most of it in anticipation of being gone quite a bit. So this week’s list isn’t the most extensive, but I’ll give it to you anyway– here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

A long wait for justice comes to an end

Whatever the opposite of patient-centered care is, I believe this qualifies

AMA comes out swinging on the Title X restrictions. Good for them.

Sherrod Brown’s likability problem. Brilliant (for the record, I am a huge Sherrod Brown stan)

Sen McSally’s sexual assault disclosure will not be investigated

Two of my favorite authors in conversation. If you have the time, it’s so good. They go all over the place, but there’s a lot there.

______________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

Here’s the thing–this is the last week I am home before I am on the road for some or all of the next 16 consecutive weeks (I feel somewhat lightheaded just typing that). That’s not to say some things couldn’t change, as there’s not a lot of stability in my calendar. Also, weeks 14-16 will be spent in Japan, purely for pleasure, as we celebrate the girlchild’s graduation from high school (we have promised her for almost 10 years now that we would take her to Asia for her graduation gift), so this is not 100% work. But to be clear, I have a lot of airport lounges in my future, which means that I am spending as much of *this* week parked in front of my fireplace as possible, cooking my own meals, and generally enjoying being home. I can’t promise things will be as regular as they usually are, but I will do my best to keep content coming. For now, check out what’s caught my eye since last we spoke:

Emma Thompson will not be working with sexual harassers

We do not have the luxury of being tired of the 2020 election already

“What would I have done if I had killed her that night?”

We should be tracking the impact of the Title X gag rule, if not personally, certainly because our patients access to all the healthcare legally allowed in the country.

We knew this, but it’s good to see others in healthcare acknowledge it too

This seems relevant to my circumstances

How the media covered for Michael Jackson

_________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

Well, the hiatus at home was lovely, but it’s back to airports for me. It won’t be the constant frenzy for the next few weeks, but we’re definitely headed in that direction by the end of March, so I am trying to frontload work on a few new projects. I spent part of the weekend working to stay ahead, but there was definitely time for reading late at night. Here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

A nurse is building a database of women killed by intimate partners

The Smollett case proves why we should take hate crimes more seriously

Related.

Men understand consent

Anger is contagious

There’s so much to unpack about the R. Kelly story–this is but one aspect of it all

A love story about abortion–it’s a heartbreaker

“These monsters are the men”

These are great questions for getting feedback–will immediately add to the repertoire

The deadly truth about a world built for men

You all know I don’t work on planes. On my last flight home I finished reading this (it was amazing–everyone should read it); just starting this

yes, Nike.

__________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

The girlchild was in town this weekend, so there was a lot of parenting time, and less hanging out and surfing. We entertained at the house, Sasha baked, and we ate, and we just generally enjoyed having the kid home. Still, there was a little time to catch up on some reading, particularly as the evenings wound down. Here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

A new tool for documenting elder abuse is in the testing phase. Looking forward to seeing results.

Why being estranged from your family can be the healthy thing. Judge less.

I always enjoy writer Ashley Ford, and her take on asking for help (and self-care) is a good one

No surprise–LGBTQ+ youth are over-represented, have poorer outcomes in the child welfare system

Can you identify all of these humanitarian icons? I could not.

He says you can’t ignore emails, but maybe you can. I’m torn on this. For your own sanity, I could easily argue it’s okay to make your priorities more important than other folks’ priorities (which is generally what emails are)

This was a gut punch, but I understand their point, and who’s to say what I would do in that situation?

Women helping women is good business. This might be a whole post soon. I have a lot to say about this.

How the Justice Department’s definition of IPV could leave victims at risk

North Caroline A&T students fight back against sexual assault

________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

Today marks one year since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. This past summer, 200 teen journalists began the work of telling the stories of youth gun deaths in the US–spanning the year between the day of the shooting and this week. The remarkable piece of journalism that resulted puts an incredibly human face on the wholly preventable tragedy that is gun violence in America.

I encourage you to read the stories of those who died, but also get to know the journalists who wrote their stories. Read also how they identified their subjects, and why suicides with firearms didn’t end up being represented in this piece. There’s a lot of insight (and data) there.

Definitely worth your time.

__________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

I have a confession: Sasha was at Ft Bragg all weekend doing soldier things, so I did nothing. Seriously, nothing. No work of any variety. I barely got myself fed if we’re going to be honest. I had a weekend of such spectacular sloth, it would be embarrassing if I didn’t know how much I had already worked in 2019, and how much work I will still do this month. That level of laying about lends oneself to a pretty decent amount of web surfing and generally catching up on the news of the day. Here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

An idea we should all get behind–a sensible holiday swap.

This investigative series on sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist church–whew (1st of 3 parts)

Lest we forget, the Catholic church is also in the news for some horrific behavior right now...

When teens are smarter than their parents on vaccinations

“Chief Kent spoke a half-dozen Arabic dialects and four other languages. She was one of the first women to complete the rigorous course required for other troops to accompany Navy SEALs on raids. She could run a 3:30 marathon, do a dozen full-arm-hang pull-ups and march for miles with a 50-pound rucksack.” A life lived in service, rest in peace.

Speaking of a life lived in service, we remember former Rep. John Dingell and his many contributions to health policy

Ugh, Virginia, it’s all problematic. Also, this.

BTW, all of this takes a toll

Why so many people ignore LGBTQ+ dating violence

In honor of Black History Month, 5 pioneering nurses you should know

This year’s Gun Law Score Card is now available from the Giffords Law Center

And finally, something to feel good about:

This immigrant-owned restaurant feeds the homeless and poor for free every single day no questions asked. He treats them as if they were full paying customers! @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/0ERZ7jJKPi— Caroline Patrickis (@Cpatrickis) February 8, 2019

___________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

I cannot describe how happy I am to look at my calendar and see no travel for 3 weeks. I’m delirious at the prospect of being home that long. I spent most of the weekend doing mundane things like grocery shopping, catching up on bad tv, and reminding my wife I live here, so I have nothing profound to report. But I did get a chance to read a bit. Here’s what caught my eye since last we spoke:

A new blog post from NSVRC that’s an important read

This survey out of the military academies…”a cultural rot”

We’re just beginning to fully understand the impact of witnessing domestic violence

How Planned Parenthood became a safe haven for queer women

Women: how to be the perfect victim of sexual violence

We don’t know the entire Lorena Bobbitt story

Humanity at its best

And finally 🙂 She ran 19 miles of a marathon carrying a lost puppy

__________________________________________________

Have you checked out the FHO store lately? You can find our newest research brief, Aging Bruises Based On Color, plus our original guide, Injury Following Consensual Sex. Both available now for electronic download.

Drumroll please…

Aimee Falkenberg you are our winner! I am super pleased to offer you one registration to this year’s IAFN conference in New Orleans. And your resolution: My professional goal for 2019 is to push for and assist in the creation of a strangulation protocol that can be used within our emergency departments. I also aspire to find a wee bit of wellness time for me-maybe explore some restorative yoga…I say this every year but 2019 is the year 

Perhaps some of that time for yourself will be spent in the Big Easy this Fall? Email me so we can chat details. Congratulations, Aimee! And for all FHO readers, don’t forget there’s still a few days left to take advantage of the 10% code (FHOIS10) for the research digests in the store. It will be good through January 31st.