Family Services’ Kathy Peluso is Honored

POUGHKEEPSIE – Family Services is proud to announce that Kathy Peluso (of Wappingers Falls), Coordinator of the Sexual Assault Response Team, recently received the Award for Outstanding Service from the Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASADA). The Award for Outstanding Service is presented annually to an organization, group, or individual in the Hudson Valley that has exemplified, through their work, CASADA’s mission to end interpersonal, familial, and sexual violence in Dutchess County. Nominees are presented to the Board of Directors and chosen on the basis of extraordinary service, impact in the community, and overall dedication to furthering this mission.

Sarah Caprioli, CASADA Board Member and Award presenter had the following to say about Kathy: “I have had the very good fortune to work closely with Kathy for 10 years, and so her work has had a profound impact on my own professional development. Kathy is the kind of colleague you follow into battle. She leads with her whole heart. She is here because she genuinely believes in the work she is doing, and that belief infuses everything she does. She is a fighter. She is here for her clients and her staff and she will stand for them, over and over again.”

Family Services, CEO Brian Doyle noted, “Kathy has worked tirelessly in support of victims for 15 years. Our agency and our community is fortunate to have her passion and dedication on behalf of individuals and families. Family Services is proud of all that Kathy has done and will continue to do to improve our community’s response for victims”.

In her award acceptance, Kathy Peluso stated, “In the 15 years I have worked in victim services, we have made some progress in the area of sexual assault. The Me Too movement has helped make offenders accountable but it’s impact has been fading. Survivors have been shamed and blamed into silence, with the message being, “sit down and be quiet.” We need to keep speaking out so that survivors feel comfortable coming forward and more offenders feel less entitled to offend.”