10.9.2026 - Clothesline Project - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
0:00 Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome.0:03 Thank you all for being here today as we come together to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month with the Clothesline Project.0:11 My name is Laurie Burke.0:12 I am the supervising victim witness advocate for the District Attorney Tom Quinn here in Fall River.0:19 Being in this role for 20-plus years, I've seen the traumatic effects of what domestic violence has done within our communities.0:27 Today is an opportunity to remember those whose lives that have been impacted by domestic violence, to honor survivors, and to recognize the courage it takes to speak out and to seek support.0:40 Today is also about raising awareness, breaking the silence, supporting survivors, and reminding those who may be experiencing abuse that they're not alone.0:51 With that, I'd like to welcome you and and begin today's program.0:55 First, we will begin with a healing prayer from Father Rob.1:07 Good afternoon.1:09 Please join me in a moment of prayer.1:13 Loving and compassionate God, we come to you with heavy hearts, lifting up those who are enduring the pain and fear of domestic violence.1:25 Wrap them in your boundless love and protection.1:29 Shield them from harm and give them courage to seek safety and healing.1:36 Grant them the strength to break free of the chains of abuse and surround them with people who will support, uplift, and guide them toward a life of peace.1:47 And dignity.1:48 May they feel your presence in their darkest moments, knowing that they are never alone.1:55 Heal their wounds, both seen and unseen, and restore their spirit with hope, resilience, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.2:06 Let them find solace in your unwavering care and the knowledge that they are deeply valued and loved.2:12 We give you thanks for this important gathering and for all who help those in their time of need.2:17 Amen.2:23 Thank you, Father Rob.2:25 Our first speaker is going to be Mayor Paul Coogan.2:37 Um, thank you everybody for coming out.2:40 It's very very— this is a very important day in the city of Fall River.2:43 Every year we want to acknowledge the people that are any part of domestic violence, and our work done by the group here today is, uh, is a standout, standout work that supports so many of them.2:56 And I appreciate you all very much, and I know the entire city of Fall River does.3:01 So to that end, we have an official proclamation.3:05 Whereas nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, which represents About 10 million victims of domestic violence annually.3:17 And domestic violence is understood to be a problem that is exacerbated by the increased confinement with abusive partners, social isolation from support systems, increased unemployment, unstable housing, stress associated with childcare, financial insecurity, and lack of substance use supports.3:38 Whereas domestic violence most egregiously impacts the vulnerable and marginalized people in our community, including Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, the elderly, the economically disenfranchised, LGBTQ folks, women, children, and those with mental or physical disabilities.4:01 And whereas many of these survivors choose not to report to the police the courts or domestic violence agencies for fear of being harmed or re-traumatized by the systems that are meant to support them, and they are isolated from in-person support such as therapists, family members, and friends.4:20 And whereas we recognize that a coordinated community effort like these can prevent and abate the pattern of domestic violence, and that all our citizens deserve to live in a city that is dedicated to the well-being and safety.4:35 And whereas the Greater Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition commit to advocate for dismantling systems of oppression and continue to make domestic violence programs possible, and commit to upholding an ethic of care and accountability that recognizes the unique vulnerabilities and agency of survivors, that therefore I, Paul Coogan, the mayor of the city of Fall River, do hereby proclaim October 26th as Domestic Violence Month in the city of Fall River, and we urge all of our citizens to bring awareness to end domestic violence.5:13 Thank you very much.5:27 Thank you, Mayor Coogan.5:29 So next speaker is going to be the director of the Women's Center at STAR, Rebecca DeJesus.5:35 Thank you.5:41 All right.5:45 The Clothesline Project was founded in 1990 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.5:49 It is a visual initiative designed to raise awareness about domestic violence.5:54 Survivors and advocates comprised of clients and staff at STAR created t-shirts representative of their experiences and symbols of hope for the future.6:04 The shirts are displayed on the clotheslines you see around the room.6:08 This form of creative self-expression provides survivors a voice to share their stories while also commemorating those who have lost their lives to violence.6:19 The Clothesline Project aims to foster healing, educate the community, and motivate action against domestic violence.6:27 These t-shirts will remain on display in this space for the month of October to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month.6:42 Thank you, Rebecca.6:43 Our next speaker is going to be Assistant District Attorney John Yes, Sisselman, on behalf of Tom Quinn.6:57 Good afternoon.6:58 Again, my name is John Anya Sisselman.7:00 I'm an assistant district attorney with the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.7:04 I have been an assistant district attorney for 18 years, and most of my career has been spent prosecuting victim-based crimes such as domestic violence.7:14 I want to thank everyone for coming here today to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Clothesline Project.7:23 First off, I would like to thank Mayor Paul Coogan for holding this event here at City Hall.7:29 The mayor has been and continues to be an amazing advocate for this important event.7:35 I would also like to thank the members of the Women's Center that fight tirelessly to advocate for victim survivors.7:42 And for organizing the Clothesline Project here in Fall River.7:46 Domestic violence awareness is a significant issue that affects everyone, including victims of domestic abuse, witnesses to the violence, advocates who support survivors, and even just knowing someone that has experienced this in their life.8:05 The actions of these abusers goes deeper than the physical and emotional violence inflicted on their victims.8:12 It affects the entire family unit, including the children who are witnesses to it.8:18 But these acts of violence also affect and impact our entire community.8:24 That is why I am proud to work at the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.8:29 Prosecuting domestic violence cases and holding offenders accountable has been a priority for the District Attorney, Thomas Quinn, throughout his entire career.8:40 These cases require a system of people and agencies to collaborate in order to protect victim survivors, their children, and the families affected by domestic violence.8:55 That is why Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Clothesline Project are so important.9:01 This is an opportunity to get together and recognize the true heroes who are the victim survivors, as well as everyone who fights the important battle to combat this epidemic.9:13 Thank you very much.9:15 Thank you, Jonan.9:26 So thank you all for joining us, for listening, and importantly, for being a part of a community that believes in safety, support, and hope.9:36 Before we head outside for the flag-raising ceremony, I encourage you to walk around and see all the shirts that give a voice to experiences that are often difficult to put into words.9:48 Each shirt represents a story, a story of pain, survival, strength, and hope.9:54 Thank you.10:12 Perfect.10:21 Okay, ready?10:25 Awesome.
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