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Walk to Stop the Silence Draws Hundreds in Watsonville
The annual Walk to Stop the Silence was launched nine years ago in order to break through the silence surrounding the issue of sexual abuse and provide a healing space for survivors. The event is always well-attended, but this year the crowd was noticeably packed with families and young people whose high energy led the walk with chants such as, "Walk to Stop the Silence!" and "Sí se puede!" While the topic of childhood sexual abuse is difficult to confront, the tone of the day was one of strength and resilience, and the Watsonville Plaza was filled with brightly colored art displays and over a dozen tabling organizations.
According to Maria Rodriguez-Castillo, who founded the walk, one in five girls and one in seven boys are victims of sexual assault before the age of eighteen. She also noted that 90% of the time, the person committing the assault is someone the child already knows.
As part of breaking the silence, Rodriguez-Castillo emphasized the importance of people speaking up if they notice suspicious behavior in their community. Since those victimized are often afraid to speak about their experiences, intervention must be a community-led effort, she relayed to the crowd.
Her opening remarks were followed by raffle drawings and a performance by the White Hawks azteca danza group, who also led the walk.
Organizers of the event, including Kathy Riley and Nia Rasmussen of the Survivor's Healing Center, were inspired to see over 250 people come out. The event was made possible by the hard work of dedicated partners, particularly Si Se Puede and Santa Cruz Residential Recovery, who contributed signs, set up and cleaned up, and raised awareness through outreach.
Angelica Garza who came from Salinas to participate for the first time, said the walk was "special" and "non-intimidating," and sent the message that "yes we can find it in ourselves to heal and we are worthy to be loved and respected no matter the situation." Garza is a survivor of sexual abuse, but also wanted to attend the walk because her brother Frank Alvarado Jr. attended the prior year, and it was there that he connected with a local organization working toward alternatives to incarceration. Frank Alvarado Jr., a formerly incarcerated man himself, was shot and killed by Salinas police last summer. Her family continues his work in his spirit.
Other supporters of the walk include Barrios Unidos, Bikers Against Child Abuse, the City of Watsonville, and the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County and Salud Para La Gente. A record number of faith-based organizations also supported.
For more information, go to:
http://fsa-cc.org/walk-to-end-the-silence/
As part of breaking the silence, Rodriguez-Castillo emphasized the importance of people speaking up if they notice suspicious behavior in their community. Since those victimized are often afraid to speak about their experiences, intervention must be a community-led effort, she relayed to the crowd.
Her opening remarks were followed by raffle drawings and a performance by the White Hawks azteca danza group, who also led the walk.
Organizers of the event, including Kathy Riley and Nia Rasmussen of the Survivor's Healing Center, were inspired to see over 250 people come out. The event was made possible by the hard work of dedicated partners, particularly Si Se Puede and Santa Cruz Residential Recovery, who contributed signs, set up and cleaned up, and raised awareness through outreach.
Angelica Garza who came from Salinas to participate for the first time, said the walk was "special" and "non-intimidating," and sent the message that "yes we can find it in ourselves to heal and we are worthy to be loved and respected no matter the situation." Garza is a survivor of sexual abuse, but also wanted to attend the walk because her brother Frank Alvarado Jr. attended the prior year, and it was there that he connected with a local organization working toward alternatives to incarceration. Frank Alvarado Jr., a formerly incarcerated man himself, was shot and killed by Salinas police last summer. Her family continues his work in his spirit.
Other supporters of the walk include Barrios Unidos, Bikers Against Child Abuse, the City of Watsonville, and the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County and Salud Para La Gente. A record number of faith-based organizations also supported.
For more information, go to:
http://fsa-cc.org/walk-to-end-the-silence/
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