A Tapestry of Voices

Goshen - The Orange County Government Center will host the Clothesline Project to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) on Friday, October 4^th, with Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc.

The Clothesline comprises more than 650 t-shirts handmade by survivors of domestic violence or in honor of someone who has been a victim. Each shirt tells a story of pain, survival, and hope, while promoting awareness and helping the healing process for victims and those who have lost a loved one to violence.

"The Clothesline Project is a very moving and important display that the County is honored to host," said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. "Thank you to Fearless! For bringing this to us and for the incredible work they do. We must continue our efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence and to honor the lives of the victims and survivors."

According to Fearless!, domestic violence statistics are alarming:

• 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.
• Since September 2004, 36 women have been murdered by their former or current intimate partners in Orange County. One woman missing but presumed dead, and one man was murdered by his sister's ex-husband.

"Domestic violence affects every community, and statistics show that everyone knows someone who has been impacted," said Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier, Executive Director of Fearless!. "By working together, we can create meaningful change, ensuring that survivors are heard, supported, and empowered. The Clothesline continues to be a visual display of the impact domestic violence has on victims, their families, and our communities."

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

"Fearless! extends our gratitude to County Executive Neuhaus and other leaders in Orange County for their partnership," said Kostyal-Larrier. "We applaud you for your tireless commitment to honoring everyone's right to live a life free from abuse and violence in all its forms."

In 2023, Fearless! answered 11,821 hotline calls, sheltered 59 adults and 63 children, provided 9,716 bed nights in its emergency shelter, and served 7,488 individuals through its programs. Fearless! advocates provided 21,096 supportive counseling services to individual victims and survivors, creating 4,435 individualized safety plans. Fearless! advocates also provided 27,710 advocacy services that included court accompaniment and support with legal, social services, housing, immigration, employment, education, and economic empowerment issues.

"Orange County is lucky to have such a strong partner in Fearless!," said Lacey Trimble, Commissioner of the Orange County Department of Mental Health and Social Services. "Increasing awareness about interpersonal violence through events like the Clothesline Project demonstrates the strength of the survivors. When we break the silence, we help those still living in these dangerous situations to ask for help."

The Clothesline will be on display Friday, October 4^th, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. along the sidewalk on the Main Street side of the Government Center.

For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.291.2700 or [email protected].

To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @Orange County NY Govt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X. You can also watch Neuhaus' NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series on YouTube.

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(Caption) The Clothesline Project

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