GOSHEN – Safe Homes of Orange County will observe National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October with county-wide events throughout Orange and Sullivan County to promote healthy relationships and help communities engage in the prevention of intimate-partner violence. Offering free education programs to community and workplace groups, Safe Homes is also the only agency in the county providing comprehensive services for adults and children affected by intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, and human trafficking.
Nationwide, 1-in-4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In Orange County, 28 women have been killed by intimate-partners since 2004. “In 2018, Safe Homes’ advocates answered 4,433 hotline calls, provided 7,820 sessions of supportive counseling, created 5,751 individual safety plans, 5,202 nights of safety through our shelter, and provided 19,405 advocacy services. As we look towards the end of the month to honor, celebrate, and reflect 34 years of service to the community, we recognize our work is far from done. Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking are global epidemics and true change will not occur unless we all work together. It will require each and every one of us to play our part” said Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier, Safe Homes’ executive director.
“I am tired of adding names to the list. This is one of society’s major problems. It hides right in plain sight. It is an everyday occurrence that most of us tune out, oblivious to the physical, financial, emotional and psychological pull it exacts, when in fact, the cost is very high,” Kostyal-Larrier said.
A complete list of the agency’s awareness programs in October is available under the News & Events tab, Awareness Month Activities tab, October of www.safehomesorangecounty.org They will include “In Her Shoes” interactive workshops; Clothesline-Project displays (t-shirts bearing victim stories on a clothesline) in Newburgh, Port Jervis, Goshen, Middletown, Monticello; Escalation workshop trainings; online fundraising campaign throughout the month of October, and Orange-Wears-Purple Day on October 24th (wear purple in memory of victims of domestic violence).
Safe Homes’ Celebration of Hope Gala on October 25th will honor Kristen Feden Gibbons, Blaise Gomez, Indigo Salon, and Ada Lara. The Celebration of Hope Gala will be held at Anthony’s Pier 9, Friday, October 25th, 6:00-11:00pm. For tickets and information, call 845-562-5365 ext. 101, or email afisher@safehomesorangecounty.org. All proceeds benefit Safe Homes’ programs and services for the elimination of intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, and trafficking.
Safe Homes works for the elimination of all forms of domestic and dating violence, and trafficking by offering confidential and comprehensive support services to survivors, and by increasing public awareness through education and prevention programs. For help, call Safe Homes’ 24-HOUR-HOTLINE at 845-562-5340.
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