SERINO JOINS ‘START BY BELIEVING’ CAMPAIGN

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY— Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) joined community leaders today at a press conference at the Family Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie to launch the ‘Start By Believing’ public awareness campaign. The goal of the campaign is to improve the public response to sexual assault, raise awareness in the local community, and bring supporters and stakeholders together in an attempt to end the cycle of sexual violence.

“There is simply no way to understate just how important this campaign is,” said Senator Serino. “Sexual violence is one of the single most traumatizing events a person can face in their lifetime and being sexually assaulted only to be met with doubt and skepticism not only adds insult to injury, it can often lead to further trauma with devastating effects. It is time to change the dialogue that surrounds sexual violence and that absolutely starts by believing.”

According to press release that accompanied the event, along with Senator Serino’s office, the campaign is being implemented locally by the following partners of the Sexual Assault Response Team: Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney’s Office, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro’s Office, the City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison’s Office, Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, Family Services’ Center for Victim Safety and Support, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, Vassar Brother’s Medical Center, Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital, Northern Dutchess Hospital, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health, the Child Advocacy Center, Dutchess Community College, Vassar College, the Culinary Institute of America, Marist College, and Bard College.

“When a victim reports an act of sexual violence, a sort of domino effect begins instantly,” Serino continued. “When we start by believing it sends the dominoes falling in the right direction, towards justice and towards healing. With partners from every level of government, community leaders, and law enforcement pledging their commitment to this cause, we are off to a great start.”

For more information on the campaign, click here.

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