|
People Against Domestic Violence to Hold Rally in Cold Spring
The organization People Against Domestic Violence (PADV) has long been at the forefront of Domestic Violence prevention, education, training and community networking in Putnam County. On June 2, 2007, PADV will hold its annual rally against domestic violence in Cold Spring, in an effort to raise public awareness to the crisis of domestic violence and to build community involvement by all residents of Putnam County.
The event will kickoff with an "Awareness Walk" through the lovely villages of Cold Spring and Nelsonville. This "Walk" is similar to a walk-athon and everyone is invited to participate. The organization is asking for walkers to either obtain sponsors or to make a minimum donation of $20. All participants will receive tshirts. Registration for the "Walk" will take place on the lawn of St. Mary's Church (intersection of Rte. 301 and Rte. 9D) beginning at 11:30am with the "Walk" to begin at noon. Sponsor forms may be obtained prior to the date by contacting Faye Thorpe at (845) 225-7040 X1316 or Makaria Gallagher at (845) 225-4225 or for pick up at the Country Goose on Main Street in Cold Spring beginning on or after May 29, 2007.
At 3pm, everyone is invited to gather on the lawn of St. Mary's to begin the second phase of the rally, which is the "Break the Silence March" down Main Street. The procession will be once again led by countywide law enforcement agencies, the Cold Spring Fire Company Pipe and Drums and the Knights of Columbus.
The "March" will end at the Cold Spring dock and gazebo where there will be several speakers and light refreshments. PADV is honored to have as its guest speaker Patti Butler, the mother of Elizabeth Butler, the North Salem High School student who was raped and murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2005.
Ms. Butler's courage in speaking out against the violent and tragic events surrounding her daughter's death will surely inspire us all. Relationship violence knows no age limits and it is prevalent among teen and young adult dating relationships as well as in adult relationships. One recent national survey found that 1 in 11 high-school students said they had been hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year. 1 in 11 students also reported that they had been forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to. Far greater numbers of teens (as high as 96%) report emotional and psychological abuse in their dating relationships. Therefore, it is so important to have participants for this event from all ages, genders and walks of life. Once issues of relationship violence can be discussed by breaking the silence, then the violence can begin to be stopped.
Please join in on June 2, 2007 to "Break the Silence" and "Stop the Violence."
| 
