Speak Out to stop violence against women

Middletown — The Rape Crisis Program of Mental Health Association in Orange County Inc., is sponsoring a “Speak Out n Stopping Violence Against Women” event for the community. The event, which is free and open to everyone in the community, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25 - with a rain date of Aug. 26 - in Fancher-Davidge Park, Middletown. The event will be a collaborative effort among the Orange County Safe Homes Project, Orange Pride, YWCA Orange County, the Middletown Police Department, the Town of Wallkill Police Department and other agencies throughout Orange County. Speak Out is a public event that aims to give a voice to anyone who has been affected by or has been a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence. It helps break the silence in our community by creating awareness of the continuous violent acts that are perpetrated against women. It is intended to empower and unite the community by highlighting the resources and support services that are available. We will be having local talent groups performing - including dance, poetry and spoken word - speakers, music and face painting. There will also be a display of the Clothesline Project, a display of T-shirts that have been decorated by people who have been affected by sexual assault or domestic violence. The shirts are hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women. For further information, call Tharicia McZorn at 565-8681.