WEBVTT 00:00:00.386 --> 00:00:10.911 - Good evening, everybody, and welcome to our regularly scheduled program as we've returned to our regularly 00:00:10.911 --> 00:00:21.140 - scheduled program. My name is Susan Hingwell. This is the Monroe County Women's Commission. It is April 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:28.222 - 16th. I'm on vacation this week. It is April 16th at 5.30-something PM. 00:00:28.866 --> 00:00:38.555 - I will call us to order. The commission shall serve in an advisory role to assist residents, businesses, 00:00:38.555 --> 00:00:47.875 - and the government of Monroe County in addressing issues of gender equity. The mission is to advance 00:00:47.875 --> 00:00:58.302 - the status of women and marginalized genders in all areas of county life. I know for approval of minutes, I know 00:00:58.626 --> 00:01:09.829 - Maria? Okay, perfect. Okay. So with the updates, do I have a motion to approve the minutes for a March's 00:01:09.829 --> 00:01:20.818 - meeting? Yes, I move to approve the March minutes with the edits from Maria. I second. I have a motion 00:01:20.818 --> 00:01:27.646 - to approve the minutes from March with the most recent updates. 00:01:28.194 --> 00:01:37.171 - Aye. And when Maria is on, we will do a different roll call. So I did change, because I said last time 00:01:37.171 --> 00:01:46.759 - I was going to put myself last, because I never remember right off the bat. So we're going to do commissioner 00:01:46.759 --> 00:01:55.998 - updates. Commissioner Otto, do you have any updates? I know, sorry. How about Belton? We'll go to Belton. 00:01:56.258 --> 00:02:08.447 - Do you have any updates you'd like to share? Yeah, I don't remember. We had talked about making bags 00:02:08.447 --> 00:02:19.550 - with feminine products that went out to go with not more and passed out several to the way. 00:02:24.802 --> 00:02:35.374 - the name of the place on Rogers to the left. As the old BCC. Oh, oh my gosh, BCC. Yes. Left hand side 00:02:35.374 --> 00:02:45.738 - across the street from church. There was a few ladies there. I still have some more sooner products 00:02:45.738 --> 00:02:51.646 - to pass out and we'll get together and work on it again. 00:02:56.162 --> 00:03:03.763 - Any updates you would like to share right now? Coming back, any updates you would like to share? I have 00:03:03.763 --> 00:03:11.219 - something that I would like to share. All righty then. But I wasn't sure if other people had anything 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:18.527 - on this because it is sexual assault awareness month in April. So I just have a little thing that I 00:03:18.527 --> 00:03:20.574 - would like to read on that. 00:03:20.930 --> 00:03:25.843 - In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I want to share just a brief data-driven snapshot 00:03:25.843 --> 00:03:30.757 - of where the country stands today and what these trends mean for women and families in Indiana. The 00:03:30.757 --> 00:03:35.326 - most recent federal data show that sexual violence remains a widespread public health issue. 00:03:35.458 --> 00:03:41.487 - CDC's 23 to 24 national intimate partner in sexual violence survey, which surveyed more than 15,000 00:03:41.487 --> 00:03:47.757 - adults, confirmed that women continue to experience sexual violence at a significantly higher rate than 00:03:47.757 --> 00:03:54.269 - men. The cycle also includes technology-facilitated abuse, reflecting the growing role of digital platforms 00:03:54.269 --> 00:03:57.886 - in harassment and coercion. Being a criminal justice major. 00:03:58.082 --> 00:04:05.135 - the data tell a similar story. In the fiscal year 2024, more than 1,400 individuals were sentenced for 00:04:05.135 --> 00:04:11.435 - federal sexual abuse offenses, a 62% increase since 2020. I'm sorry, how many? What was it? 00:04:11.435 --> 00:04:18.351 - What was it? Increase? 62% since 2020. Thank you. Over 93% of the offenders were men, and nearly all 00:04:18.351 --> 00:04:25.677 - received prison sentences. While federal cases represent only a fraction of total assaults, they highlight 00:04:25.677 --> 00:04:26.910 - persistent gender 00:04:27.138 --> 00:04:33.643 - patterns in offending. The National Crime Victimization Survey adds important context. In 2024, the 00:04:33.643 --> 00:04:40.799 - rate of victimization was more than 23 incidents per thousand people age 12 or older, with youth experiencing 00:04:40.799 --> 00:04:47.695 - the highest rates. Only a small portion of these incidents were reported to law enforcement, underscoring 00:04:47.695 --> 00:04:54.655 - the ongoing barriers survivors face when seeking help. The 2025 analysis of national crime data identified 00:04:54.655 --> 00:04:56.542 - more than 2,000 sex offenses 00:04:56.962 --> 00:05:03.346 - reported in a single year. I'm sorry, 200,000 reported in a single year, roughly one every two and a 00:05:03.346 --> 00:05:09.793 - half minutes. Nearly all of the victims were between the ages of 11 and 20, which aligns with what we 00:05:09.793 --> 00:05:16.430 - see in college communities here in Indiana. Although updated state level data are still being finalized, 00:05:16.430 --> 00:05:22.877 - Indiana's patterns mirror national trends. Young women, especially those ages 18 to 24, remain at the 00:05:22.877 --> 00:05:25.342 - highest risk for acquaintance assault. 00:05:26.146 --> 00:05:32.367 - Rural counties also face challenges such as limited access to trained nurses and fewer trauma informed 00:05:32.367 --> 00:05:38.769 - reporting options. So as a commission we have an opportunity to strengthen prevention programming support 00:05:38.769 --> 00:05:44.870 - trauma informed reporting pathways and advocate for improved data collection across the state. And I 00:05:44.870 --> 00:05:50.910 - believe we have been doing that with grounding our work in evidence and centering around survivors. 00:05:50.910 --> 00:05:55.198 - And we can continue to build a safer and more equitable Monroe County. 00:05:56.994 --> 00:06:05.010 - On those lines, I also wanted to say Monroe County now on Monday, April 21st. This upcoming Monday is 00:06:05.010 --> 00:06:13.025 - hosting a watch party and discussion, a documentary exploring sexual assault on college campuses, and 00:06:13.025 --> 00:06:18.526 - that is at the Southwest Library, meeting room B from 5 p.m. to 6.45. 00:06:33.474 --> 00:06:41.438 - Do you have any updates you'd like to share? No, I don't have any. I don't think so. I don't think I 00:06:41.438 --> 00:06:49.481 - have any updates. I'm just contemplating our commission and the meeting situation from last month and 00:06:49.481 --> 00:06:57.445 - the fact that we don't have our commissioner or counselor representatives at this meeting this month 00:06:57.445 --> 00:07:02.334 - and watching what happens with that in the upcoming meetings. 00:07:05.474 --> 00:07:17.120 - Jody sent out notice saying that she was out of town and I don't remember hearing from Liz. We did hear 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:28.542 - from Liz. She said that she has the history. Some other board that she's on was a conflict for today. 00:07:39.490 --> 00:07:49.206 - I've asked if that's going to be a regular thing. So if this Thursday meeting with us no longer works 00:07:49.206 --> 00:07:58.923 - for her schedule, because it's not clear if that was just a one time meeting or if this is the, yeah, 00:07:58.923 --> 00:08:08.830 - a schedule change. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah. Yeah, I don't know. We are officially have been announced. 00:08:09.986 --> 00:08:20.230 - for the rest of the year. So that's good. That's my update. If people are talking, I need you to like 00:08:20.230 --> 00:08:30.273 - get right on the microphone because I'm not hearing. Yeah, they're new mics and they're shorter and 00:08:30.273 --> 00:08:38.910 - they're I'm not sure how they're picking up. Yeah, just pull the thing closer to you. 00:08:39.682 --> 00:08:49.030 - Thank you. Commissioner Douglas, do you have any updates you would like to share? Yeah, I'm surprised 00:08:49.030 --> 00:08:58.379 - that Julie didn't share that we had the first meeting of the Freedom School Steering Committee. Julie 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:08.094 - and I are co-chairing that together at the moment. How many people do we have? We had we had eight of us. 00:09:09.186 --> 00:09:20.007 - And so there's room still for more. I'm just interim co-chair until somebody else steps up, but we had 00:09:20.007 --> 00:09:31.774 - our first meeting, so that was exciting. I also wanted to share that I attended the MCCS, the Advisory Council, 00:09:32.802 --> 00:09:41.609 - community council situation last night. It was a gathering of, I'm not good at like saying how many 00:09:41.609 --> 00:09:51.120 - people are there, but just from all walks of life in terms of parents, in terms of people from the business 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:58.078 - community, the nonprofit community, et cetera. And MCCSE is convening to have, 00:09:58.306 --> 00:10:08.454 - conversations. Last night we just did a lot of introduction about the purpose and such so I'll probably 00:10:08.454 --> 00:10:18.211 - be reporting out on that. My last thing is that I received another email from a concerned community 00:10:18.211 --> 00:10:25.822 - member and I would like to read it at this time. So it says Dear Commissioner 00:10:27.010 --> 00:10:33.191 - there's such feedback right now. So dear Commissioner Maria Douglas, we have corresponded briefly by 00:10:33.191 --> 00:10:39.557 - email before. I have watched the Women's Commission meetings on television and I always appreciate your 00:10:39.557 --> 00:10:45.860 - knowledge, advocacy and insight regarding inclusion and equity. I want to let you know how sorry I was 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:52.103 - to hear about your commission's lack of access to your meeting room last month. I have to say in this 00:10:52.103 --> 00:10:55.102 - climate that invisibility equals intentionality. 00:10:56.354 --> 00:11:03.033 - As an African-American woman myself, there have been too many incidents that I have experienced where 00:11:03.033 --> 00:11:09.711 - a denial of humanity dictates how we are negatively perceived, treated, and devalued. It was not only 00:11:09.711 --> 00:11:16.455 - disheartening to hear about the incident, but also about the lack of accountability and responsibility 00:11:16.455 --> 00:11:18.878 - to make a group whole and supported. 00:11:19.394 --> 00:11:27.367 - Please know that I stand in support and solidarity with you and the ideals that your commission diligently 00:11:27.367 --> 00:11:35.116 - upholds. I may not be physically present at meetings, but I am attentive and actively engaged in social 00:11:35.116 --> 00:11:43.015 - justice and in my everyday life. Please take good care and know that you're not alone. With warm regards, 00:11:43.015 --> 00:11:47.262 - this concerned community member, which I am choosing to, 00:11:47.362 --> 00:12:00.861 - their permission to share this and choosing to keep their name anonymous. That was very lovely. Thank 00:12:00.861 --> 00:12:14.493 - you for sharing that. Agreed. Do you have anything else you would like to share, Commissioner Douglas? 00:12:14.493 --> 00:12:16.478 - No, thank you. 00:12:20.674 --> 00:12:28.986 - As for me, I did update just some housekeeping on the newest agenda. I verified that those were the 00:12:28.986 --> 00:12:36.715 - correct dates. They have been updated on the website, I think, or they were sent in for you. 00:12:36.715 --> 00:12:45.110 - And who else? It's Maria, right, our council? You, Julie. Yeah, Maria, our council. Yeah, those have 00:12:45.110 --> 00:12:50.014 - been updated on our agenda and on, I believe, the website. 00:12:50.274 --> 00:13:00.069 - Already I did follow up with the other Commissioners who are appointed by the Commissioner's office. 00:13:00.069 --> 00:13:09.961 - I think that's Commissioner Belton Otto and myself and They have not been We have not been officially 00:13:09.961 --> 00:13:18.398 - reappointed yet. They were waiting On our response for the 501 c3, which I've actively 00:13:18.722 --> 00:13:29.288 - said that we were not moving forward with that at this time. And so that our reappointment should be 00:13:29.288 --> 00:13:39.855 - coming soon. Also, make sure everyone goes in votes, by the way, in our primary election. I did find 00:13:39.855 --> 00:13:47.806 - out today that I think it was four people in my township have voted so far. 00:13:48.578 --> 00:13:57.839 - out of 5,000. That might be correct, which I know one of those is me, because I have not voted yet. 00:13:57.839 --> 00:14:07.470 - So please make sure you get out and vote. I believe this is, as they all are, very important elections. 00:14:07.470 --> 00:14:16.824 - Early voting is happening at North Showers next to City Hall, Monday through Friday, right? It's not 00:14:16.824 --> 00:14:18.398 - on the weekends. 00:14:18.690 --> 00:14:29.995 - but it's Monday through Friday, and I think like 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. I think so. I think that's right. 00:14:29.995 --> 00:14:41.752 - It is. I think that's all I have. I'm sure. I haven't heard about being reappointed. Were they supposed 00:14:41.752 --> 00:14:45.822 - to send me something? I don't know. 00:14:47.906 --> 00:14:58.910 - Did I miss something? Oh, you're counseled. Oh, you were on there, too, then. Yes, you've been reappointed. 00:14:58.910 --> 00:15:09.201 - So it is Eroge and Douglas, right, that are by counsel? Yes, you have all been reappointed. Correct? 00:15:09.201 --> 00:15:14.398 - Yes. Was I supposed to receive something? Did you? 00:15:17.026 --> 00:15:24.152 - I don't know that I actually received something, but I believe there was a meeting in January where 00:15:24.152 --> 00:15:31.635 - they made those decisions. I don't recall if I actually received an email this time about reappointment. 00:15:31.635 --> 00:15:38.334 - I was just making sure I didn't miss something. Let me make sure that you were on that email. 00:15:48.066 --> 00:15:56.925 - It is just you two. Maria was already good till next year. OK, sorry. I had that backwards. So it's 00:15:56.925 --> 00:16:05.962 - Hardesty and Roger that have been reappointed till 28. Maria's term doesn't end till 2027. OK, sorry. 00:16:05.962 --> 00:16:14.910 - Thank you. I knew there was only two, but I had it wrong. Let's move on to old and ongoing business. 00:16:19.714 --> 00:16:30.226 - I don't even. Are we sorry? I don't have my most recent agenda on me. Um. The policy subcommittee. Or 00:16:30.226 --> 00:16:40.841 - committee with commissioners. Hardesty Douglas and your own. Would you guys like to provide an update? 00:16:40.841 --> 00:16:47.230 - Sure. I haven't we haven't had a meeting real recently. We're 00:16:47.394 --> 00:16:57.629 - But we have talked over email about things for this year and prioritizing, and I think our top thing 00:16:57.629 --> 00:17:08.675 - is following up on the gender equity rubric with the board of commissioners and hopefully Jodi in particular 00:17:08.675 --> 00:17:09.790 - to see how 00:17:09.986 --> 00:17:17.638 - how the gender equity rubric can be used and getting it shared online and figuring out if there's a 00:17:17.638 --> 00:17:25.366 - way for us to get feedback if anyone makes use of it. Then we are also looking, the next thing we're 00:17:25.366 --> 00:17:33.095 - looking at is scheduling, amplifying, hosting constitutional observer know your rights trainings. So 00:17:33.095 --> 00:17:38.910 - some of those have already been happening in the area and if there are more 00:17:39.010 --> 00:17:46.941 - Or if there are more that we can put together and host, that would be something that we're interested 00:17:46.941 --> 00:17:54.950 - in. We still want to watch what's happening with the new jail. And now that there's an extension until 00:17:54.950 --> 00:18:03.192 - the end of May on the lawsuit moving forward. So we'll see what is happening with that. And we're wanting 00:18:03.192 --> 00:18:06.302 - to watch that from a policy standpoint. 00:18:06.434 --> 00:18:15.659 - see if there's anything that we need to be bringing up with the commissioners or council, the board 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:23.870 - of commissioners. And then we also talked about this is actually moved on I think beyond 00:18:23.970 --> 00:18:29.995 - potentially what we what we were contemplating but the affordable housing solution for tenants of the 00:18:29.995 --> 00:18:35.961 - county is possibly displacing for the convention hotel. I believe that displacement is is active and 00:18:35.961 --> 00:18:42.104 - is going to be happening. So I'm not sure if there's much that we are able to do at this point in terms 00:18:42.104 --> 00:18:48.011 - of advising the commissioners or offering anything but I think next week when we talk that might be 00:18:48.011 --> 00:18:52.382 - that might actually be something we want to bump up and talk about first. 00:18:53.250 --> 00:19:00.814 - And then we are still interested in working on data visualization for the status of women and marginalized 00:19:00.814 --> 00:19:07.883 - genders in Monroe County based on data from the data subcommittee or also the preliminary data that 00:19:07.883 --> 00:19:14.457 - was gathered last year that we have available as well. So kind of setting goals for the year 00:19:14.457 --> 00:19:21.950 - and contemplating that and hoping to dig in starting next week. So is there anything that you have Maria? 00:19:25.186 --> 00:19:35.415 - No, thank you so much. And thank you so much for your leadership. Any questions? Comments? Concerns? 00:19:35.415 --> 00:19:45.544 - There's concerns, I'm sure. Oh, no. No, you guys are very productive. Yeah, with this work. Tell me 00:19:45.544 --> 00:19:53.950 - about your productivity. Well, we have ideas. We'll put it that way. That's great. 00:19:57.922 --> 00:20:08.083 - I have no updates, but it was on my agenda to work on that this week. Well, I have off and the week 00:20:08.083 --> 00:20:17.000 - is not over yet. So yeah. Commissioner Douglas, do you have anything you'd like to add?