GOSHEN – When a person is sexually assaulted or abused, the family and friends must believe their disclosures. That is the message from Orange County law enforcement and the Mental Health Association in Orange County that was conveyed on Wednesday on the third annual Start By Believing Day conference in Goshen.
District Attorney David Hoovler said his office does everything it can to support survivors and victims.
“We do that collaboratively and the best that we can, but we can always do better, we should do better, and we should strive to do better,” he said.
Meaghan Bayer, the director of crisis services for the mental health association, said they immediately offer support for victims.
“This campaign challenges everyone to respond to disclosures of sexual assault by expressing believe and support rather than doubt, shame or blame,” she said.
The most compelling message on Wednesday came from Elizabeth Verboys, a 17-year-old senior at Warwick Valley High School, who was abused from age three to seven, but did not tell her parents and police until two years ago.
As a Girl Scout for many years, she wanted to earn her Gold Award with a project she calls Wisdom Wings.
“It’s goal is to educate people on sexual abuse and support survivors. I publish a kids’ book called ‘We Learned a Lesson,’ to teach kids about consent and boundaries,” she said.
Elizabeth’s attacker admitted to his actions two years ago, but was not prosecuted because he was a juvenile at the time.
She said people should start by believing when a survivor shares their story “because doing that will bring our voices back.”
