A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
More than 100 walkers in the “Walk a Mile in their Moccasins/A Walk of Honor” to bring about awareness to violence against women, sexual violence, and sexual abuse for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
A great event for great friends to show support; Elaine Castor (left) and Maxine Cole (right).
Chrystal Ransom-Cree accepts a t-shirt from Jessica Sargent, just one of the many organizers who sponsored this walk.
Konwahahawi Herne, ACT NOW, Jessica Sargent, Amber Montour, Commissioner of Social Services and Kaniehtawaks Francis from the Three Sisters Program as she speaks after the walk.
The face of an abused person, the female and male pictured here spoke candidly and intimately about their life as an abused person and their struggle and path to find peace and a sense of well-being.
The face of an abused person, the female and male pictured here spoke candidly and intimately about their life as an abused person and their struggle and path to find peace and a sense of well-being.
Walkers afterwards relaxing and enjoying refreshments while listening to speakers at the rally.
A Walk of Honor to show support to sexual assault victims was held on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Part of April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, several organizations collaborated on this walk: the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Department of Social Services, The Three Sisters Program, Konon:kwe, Haudenosaunee Coalition for Women’s Empowerment, Indian Child Welfare Office and Akwesasne’s ACT NOW worked together to raise awareness and to help prevent sexual assault. The walk started at the St. Regis Mohawk School with organizers handing out teal colored t-shirts and balloons for all walkers. The t-shirt read “Sexual Assault Awareness – We Are Sacred” and was worn by young and old.
The group was lead by two St. Regis Mohawk Police who carried a banner that read, “St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Sexual Assault Team.” Just behind them the Kontiwennenhawi - Akwesasne Women Singers, sang in their inspirational and beautiful voices as they walked to the four corners in Hogansburg and continued on to Generations Park where refreshments were served. There the organizers of the event gave short presentations. Carrie Marlowe, a Sexual Assault Advocate of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Three Sisters Program, made it very clear if you or someone you know is or has been sexually assaulted, she is there to help you through this traumatic experience. Debra Martin, Health Director of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Andrew Thomas, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Chief, each spoke of their commitment in their fight against sexual assault and to support the victims of abuse.
Two victims of sexual assault gave a sometimes graphic and yet private look at what it’s like to experience the trauma of being sexually assaulted, and their long road to recovery. For many it takes years to recover, and the first step is having someone believe in you. For many, this cycle can become generational if the victim does not face his or her trauma and start a path to recovery.
According to RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network), one of the United States largest anti-sexual violence organizations, a sexual assault happens every two minutes, 44% of the victims are under the age of 18, and in the United States alone, 207,754 cases were reported in 2012, yet 54% of sexual assaults are NOT reported. Few rapists will spend a day in jail for the crime they committed – in fact 97% of the rapists will not serve any time in jail for sexually assaulting someone. For two-thirds of the victims, the assailant is known to them and 38% of the assailants are actually a friend or acquaintance.
It was a great event for friends and families, victims and supporters alike. A real sense of “do something” against something that isn’t right prevailed throughout the event. If you or someone you know has been or is being sexually assaulted you can contact:
Three Sisters Program 518 358 4406 or 1 855 3SISTERS
SRMT Police 518 358 9200
SRMT Indian Health Services 518 358 3141
Child Abuse Hotline 800 342 3720
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