Kathleen Krenek’s Letters to the San Jose Mercury News

November 14 2009 Letter to Editor

Honor memory of slaying victims

The staff, volunteers and all those we serve through Next Door are sending our thoughts and prayers to Jennifer Schipsi’s family as they suffer the pain and anguish of the prosecution of her alleged killer, Paul Zumot.

Members of Next Door’s staff attended the Zumot arraignment and were appalled by the arrogant and impenitent behavior of the accused. Schipsi’s family members and friends were wrought with grief, and we could feel their helplessness.

We know that all of Schipsi’s family and friends would want her memory to be honored by seeing the community take notice and take action.

Please find out all you can about domestic violence — then tell everyone you know. One voice can be heard by many, and one action can touch many.

Kathleen Krenek

Link to Mercury News 11/14/2009 page

October 27 2009 Letter to Editor

Domestic violence is not an act of passion

Bulos “Paul” Zumot is charged with murder in the death of Jennifer Schipsi, who received services from our agency, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence. While we grieve her loss, we are disturbed by early reports characterizing this as “an act of passion.”

Decades past, killing your wife “in the heat of passion” might have a jury declare a finding of innocence. Thank goodness we left that era. We now know domestic violence is coercive control exercised to gain power.

In my 24 years in this work, I have never heard a victim refer to her abuse as filled with passion. Also, we should be careful in how we portray the deceased, who is not at fault for trusting a person who professed love. Focus must be on the perpetrator. Instead of “why did she go back,” we must ask “why would someone so severely hurt the person he loves?”

Kathleen Krenek

Link to Mercury News 10/27/2009 page

Kathleen Krenek on 94.5 KBAY’s South Bay Sunday

Increasing numbers of stories are coming out about celebrities like Rihanna who was beaten by Chris Brown; and the Oakland Raiders coach, Tom Cable who is accused of domestic violence; and the beautiful young Palo Alto real estate agent, Jennifer Schipsi, who was strangled to death and burned and we realize that the scope of this problem is vast and troubling.  That is why Next Door is making an aggressive outreach effort to the media to spread the word about this issue.  Kathleen Krenek was interviewed on November 22^nd by Sam Van Zandt of 94.5 KBAY’s South Bay Sunday about this problem and we have attached the program.

Click the link to listen to Kathleen’s interview

There are also YouTube links(part 1, part 2) to the 20/20 Rihanna interview and Next Door letters to the editor about the Jennifer Schipsi murder. Please take a few minutes to read the letters and listen to these great segments!

Learn how to use your computer safely

Technology allows individuals to track and monitor the activities of others. Your cell phone, email, computer, and Internet activity can be tracked. When you use your computer or surf the Internet, your web browser and your computer leaves a trail, a trail that other people can see. If you use your phone or emails to talk about abuse, or if you access websites that you would prefer other people didn’t know about, there are a few tips that will help you remain safe:

Cell phones and cordless phones

• Traditional “corded” phones or land lines are more private than cell phones or cordless phones.

Using the Internet

• Access this site and other sites you want private from somewhere other than home. You can use a computer in a public library, at a community technology center, at a trusted friend’s house, or an Internet Café.
• Clear cookies, temporary web site files and browser history. Cookies are information that a web site leaves on your hard drive about your visit to that web site. A temporary web site file is left on your computer each time you visit a web site. One of its pages, usually the home page, is stored “temporarily” on your hard drive. Usually Internet browser software retains a list, or History, of all the web sites you visit. Refer to your software “Help” menu or technical support for further information.
• Clear the search engine. Many search engines retain and display past searches. Check whichever search engine you use for information on how to turn this feature off.
• If you add a site to your “Favorites” (also known as bookmarking) other people who use your computer can use your Favorites to see what web sites you have visited.

An excellent resource that can help you clear your cache, cookies and history is located here:

Instant / Text Messageing

Try not to discuss danger or abuse by email or Instant/Text Messaging. It is not safe or confidential. If you do use email or text messaging, make sure you use an account your abuser does not know about.

Using Emails

• When using email, do not store passwords and make sure you change your password or passwords often. Do not use obvious passwords, such as your birthday or your pet’s name. Use passwords that include both letters and numbers.
• Delete emails and files/documents. Delete emails from the “Send” or “Outbox” and then also delete emails from the “Deleted Items” box. In addition, empty the “Recycle” or “Trash Bin” of any documents before shutting down the computer. Make this a regular routine so it is not an unusual action that triggers suspicion.

Note: It is not possible to completely delete or clear all the “footprints” from your computer or online activity. Clearing your browser history will make it more difficult, but NOT impossible for someone to trace your computer use. It is always best to use a safe computer.