Hilltowns vigil commits to making domestic violence a thing of the past

Members of the Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force commit to raise their voices and make domestic violence a thing of the past.

Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter

HUNTINGTON — The annual Hilltown Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil was observed inside Stanton Hall on Oct. 16. As community members entered, they were encouraged to sign a banner and write a message on a prayer flag to victims of domestic violence, which were then attached to clotheslines across the stage.

During a short program, Donna Larocque and Monica Moran, co-coordinators of the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force, asked and answered why the vigil is so important.

“Because domestic violence doesn’t discriminate and impacts people of all incomes and all levels. Because in 2023 in Massachusetts, 19 lives were lost to domestic violence and so far in 2024, 21 have been lost.

“Because one in four women and one in seven men have been victims in their lifetimes. Because the highest rates of domestic violence happen among young people ages 16 to 24 years old. We will not accept this. We know we can do better,” they said.

Larocque said in rural areas, domestic violence is more severe and more frequent, and there is less access to services.

The vigil also remembered two members of the community, Karen Hart in 2002 and Jessica Dana in 2012, who were killed in acts of violence. 

One friend wrote about the loss, “There [aren’t] enough words to say how much we miss you.”

The coordinators thanked the several dozen who attended the observance for becoming involved through the Hilltown Voices campaign, for having hosted or attended a training or joined the task force, and invited anyone who hadn’t to sign up.

Also speaking was Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, who has attended every vigil since the first one.

“You are a huge leader. We are so lucky to have you,” Moran said.

Sullivan said when he came into the office in 2011, he didn’t understand the gravity and extent of partner abuse.

“We all know why people don’t leave,” he said, citing children and finances. “It takes a lot of courage to leave those relationships.”

Gateway Superintendent Kristen Smidy, who joined in 2021 when she started in the position, also spoke. Currently, the task force meets at Gateway for high school training. She said it’s an opportunity to come together for action to prevent abuse, which can start as young as age 11.

“They ask the students if it’s love or possessiveness; trust or control. Our young adults deserve to have love without control and manipulation,” Smidy said.

Kyleigh Golembeski, the newly appointed medical director at Hilltown Community Health Centers, said she grew up in Chester, graduating from Gateway High School, and now lives in Huntington. She said she spent her time away learning and working in a pediatric ICU.

“I have been on the sidelines of the worst day in someone’s life,” she said.

“Each one has driven me here. I am a safe space. We are here for you, we believe you, we support you,” Golembeski said.

Kim Savery, director of Hilltown Safety at Home, a program of the health centers, has also been a member of the task force since its inception.

“I’m here to honor the victims,” she said, naming five. She said statistically everyone in the room is connected to more than one survivor.  Last year, Hilltown Safety at Home served 95 people in cases of assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, financial abuse and human trafficking.

“Some were hit, some were denied food, some were trapped in a room, some were forbidden to go to church, some had their teeth knocked out, some went to the hospital,” Savery said.

“This lovely, wonderful place, this bucolic backdrop, has an underbelly,” Savery said, exacerbated by geographic isolation. 

Poverty also plays a huge role.

“In rural communities, there is a higher prevalence of sexual and domestic violence and fewer resources,” she said.

Savery said Hilltown Safety at Home is constantly trying to improve its services using an integrated whole person approach, and thanked her amazing team for their work.

She said there is always room for improvement.

“The health centers have a very inside look. The challenge is making sure that all healthcare staff know how to respond. We are always learning. Everyone has an open ear,” Savery said. “The good news is that we are a strong and competent community.”

Task force member Phil Barry, brother-in-law to Karen Mae Hart, who was killed by her former partner in 2002, also spoke. Barry has been active for over 20 years, and is the board chair of the Friends of Hilltown Safety at Home.

He said he was appreciative of the work being done to prevent another tragedy in the Hilltowns.

“I’m so impressed with this community. We’re all after the same goal,” Barry said.

Members of the task force were then called up for a group reading and pledge: “Together we declare we will not stay silent about domestic violence. Together we declare that we will stand up for safety, respect, equality, dignity and shared power. We declare that we will talk to our friends, our family members, and our community partners about how we can prevent domestic violence, and what we can do if someone we know is being abused. Together we commit to making domestic violence a thing of the past.”

The Rev. Nick Toroni of the Hilltown Community Church in Russell, who works with abusers to end the cycle of violence, then gave a closing prayer.

The task force may be reached at southernhillsdvtaskforce@gmail.com or on Facebook (search for Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force).

The task force also encourages those worried about the safety of their relationship to reach out to Hilltown Safety at Home at 413-693-9977 and speak with an advocate.

For those who cause harm but want to stop, the task force recommends A Call for Change Helpline at 877-898-3411, also on Facebook.