Chuck Stewart, Jr.
Newburgh - Over a dozen community organizations came out to Downing Park on August 23rd as part of the "Speak Out - Stopping Sexual Violence in Our Community" event.
Unfortunately the Saturday event came too late for Gloria Molina-River who was killed the Thursday prior. The 47-year-old Middletown woman was stabbed dozens of times and had her throat slashed by her ex-boyfriend, according to police. He was charged with murder.
A t-shirt with her name, one of many, hung in the park, further calling attention to sexual and domestic abuse in Orange County. The t-shirt was part of Orange County Safe Home’s "Clothesline Project." Dozens of t-shirts, created by survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, were hung on clotheslines between trees in the park.
Each shirt had a message like: "Don’t hit us" or "Keep your hands to yourself." Others gave graphic details of abuse.
Nine t-shirts stood out from the rest. These were all white. No message of hope on them. Just a name and year. A visual symbol of the nine women who have been murdered in Orange County by the hands of their male intimate partners.
With beautiful blue skies, temperatures in the mid-80’s and DJ Sweet playing dance music, the atmosphere however, was upbeat. Tharicia McZorn, the event organizer, deemed the event a success as it drew over 150 people, and most importantly, raised awareness.
Donna Lindemann spoke on behalf of Orange Pride. She quoted research that stated LGBT people are at approximately the same risk as heterosexuals of being sexually assaulted by someone that they know. "But unfortunately homophobia in our culture puts LGBT people at greater risk for sexual assault by strangers" she said.
Abuse also happens to children. Project Nevaeh was on hand to make sure that no one forgot the children. "The impact of sexual child abuse can be very severe. Typically children who experience sexual assault exhibit behavior and emotional problems," Lindemann said. "It can and does affect the rest of their lives. Our children need to be educated and they need to be informed. It’s up to us to protect them."
Nadia Allen, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association in Orange County, thanked everyone for "being here and bearing witness to violence against women in our community, and making sure that we end it."
To Get Help
Mental Health Association Helpline: 1-800-832-1200
Safe Homes Helpline: 1-888-503-4673
Project Nevaeh: 845-856-7272
