GOSHEN – Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc. joined several elected officials and law enforcement representatives to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) by hosting the Clothesline Project at the County’s Government Center on Friday.

The Clothesline Project is comprised of T-shirts made by survivors of domestic violence or in honor of someone who has been a victim of violence. It not only promotes awareness but also helps the healing process for victims and those who have lost a loved one to violence. The exhibit was also displayed at the Sullivan County Government Center this week.

According to Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier, Executive Director of Fearless!, the Government Center is one of the best locations to accommodate the full display of more than 650 T-shirts handmade by individuals.

“Every year, I am proud to join Fearless! Hudson Valley and community partners for the Clothesline Project in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” State Senator Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie) said. “During my years in law enforcement and now in the State Senate, supporting survivors and strengthening protections against domestic violence has remained deeply important to me. Awareness matters. Speaking up matters. Looking out for one another matters.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime. On average, three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. Rolison said that in Orange County, 36 women have lost their lives to intimate partner violence since September 2004, and one woman remains missing.

“Now more than ever, it’s important that we break the silence that surrounds abuse,” Assemblywoman Paula Kay (D, Rock Hill) said. “In light of the recent allegations of sexual assault at Cornell (University), we must continue to provide survivors of sexual and domestic violence with the support they need to speak up, hold perpetrators accountable, and put an end to this devastating, often repeated behavior in our society.”

Fearless! provides free therapeutic counseling, support groups, legal services, advocacy, shelter, and other forms of support to victims of domestic violence, teen dating violence, and human trafficking, and gives training to agencies, schools, businesses, law enforcement, and individuals regarding domestic violence, teen dating violence, and human trafficking. If you or someone you know might be a victim, please call the Fearless! 24-hour hotline at 845-562-5340.



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