Orange County Officials Gather at Annual Domestic Violence Clothesline Project & Commit to Legal and Financial Changes
The Orange County Government Center grounds were packed with representatives and residents standing behind a row of Art and Text representations on Tee Shirts made by abuse victims that hung from a clothesline stretched from end to end of the Government Center frontage. Each representative (including Senators, Assemblymembers, Health & Human Services, and OC Govt. Staff) gave their perspective on failures in the system that are threatening their tremendous efforts to help those who have suffered violence from a domestic partner, and remain in danger unless kept under the watchful eye of these civil servants. The current overriding barrier to helping these victims is the withdrawal of 30% of State Funding for the coming year.
Fearless Hudson Valley Executive Director, Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier gave a frightening description of the impacts that this could have on a collective of what is probably the most dedicated and hard-working staff in the State, and then there is the equally passionate and dedicated volunteer contingency. They are called to hospitals in the middle of the night, stopped on the street with cries of "Can you help me?" And what they give of themselves emotionally and physically to keep these victims safe is gut-wrenching. Kellyann was the data expert....and she had zero notes to speak from, giving figures like the women killed during demestic violence incidents in the Hudson Valley this year.
In over 20 years of journalistic coverage of Steve Neuhaus (both when he was Supervisor of Chester and now as County Executive) I personally have never seen him so angry. He compared some of the decisions communities will have to make in their budgets that include Pools and Playing Courts that the State has offered high grade grants for...... compared to helping to keep these victims alive. His solution was simple..... Fearless Hudson Valley must have its own Budget. And he added the bizarre description of the dangerous criminals walking free while many women are kept in secret hiding places in order to be safe from them. Neuhaus did not elaborate on specifics of how the budget will be changed to accommodate better financial security for this group, but you can bet it will be done.
Senator James Skoufis also displayed anger and disgust when talking about the victim attacked at Cornell University, and the "look the other way" attitude some showed, minimizing the crime and emphasizing other good works done by one of the "alleged" rapists. Skoufis saying that, you don't get to erase violence because you did a good deed in the past.
Assemblyman, Brian Maher gave credit to the incredible workers of "Fearless", who work their hearts out every day to keep victims of sexual violence safe often on calls in the middle of the night.
Senator Rob Rolison of Poughkeepsie emphasized the need to close the loophole of intoxication where claims are made by assailants that the victim had been drinking, and the need for a robust support system.
Assemblywoman Paula Kay (Rock Hill), agreed on the need for a broad support system for these victims, and the importance of taking legal action against every perpetrator.
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson of Newburgh decried the changes in federal funding that he said are at the base of the problem.
Chris Eachus (Assembly District 99), applauded the assistance they have received from many Volunteers they in previous years and how it is even more important to encourage volunteerism now.
Nearly a dozen representatives from Law Enforcement, including Sheriff Paul Arteta and Chief Dominick Blasko were present, showing their support, and emphasized that in Orange County every violent attack is and will be thoroughly followed up and prosecuted. In fact, Orange County Law Enforcement arrested 3 individuals for "Crimes Against Children" last week as part of a Multi-agency Internet Crimes Operation. They were arrested for using the internet to pursue illegal sexual activity involving childten and undercover agents caught the in the act.
Chief Dominick Blasko, President of the Orange County Police Chiefs' Association
Fearless Hudson Valley offers a broad variety of assistance to women who are in fear of domestic violence. Their hotline is 845-462-5340.
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