Rosemary Trible’s voice broke as she recounted a night of terror and pain to a room full of college students stunned into silence.
The wife of a former U.S. Senator was staying at a Richmond hotel before Christmas in 1975 when she was raped at gunpoint. The attack prompted Trible to take a journey to embrace joy and help others.
On Tuesday, her organization Fear 2 Freedom — named for the statistic that every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted in America — teamed up with Avalon: A Center for Women and Children, Colonial Court Appointed Special Advocates and a group of William & Mary students to improve the lives of victims of sexual assault. The event was part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which started Sunday.
Volunteers, staff and students joined to create F2F kits, which will be distributed to Avalon and local hospitals. A total of 3,500 kits will be created this year, spread statewide and divided by age category, they include toiletries, a stuffed bear, a journal for adults and change of clothes.
Trible said when victims of sexual assault report the incident, their clothes must be confiscated for evidence. She knew of people who were forced to leave a hospital in paper examining gowns.
“That just added to the shame and guilt,” she said in an interview with WYDaily.
Knowing firsthand the fear that goes with arriving at a hospital alone and shaken, Trible’s Fear 2 Freedom project hopes to give survivors the comfort and care they need to face the next step on their journey.
She applauded the large turnout of William & Mary students, many of whom were doing service as part of their sororities or fraternities. The younger generation, she said, has a passion for giving back that makes them ready and happy to spring to action when given an avenue.
Trible also noted the number of male students present, and the progress that has been made in openly addressing issues of sexual assault.
“You think it’s not talked about now? Think about in 1975,” Trible urged the crowd.
In less than an hour, the group assembled 150 kits, which included handwritten letters of support to the recipients.
Before the kit-making got underway, presenters took the time to honor those who fight to increase awareness and bring justice for victims of sexual assault.
In addition to an award for Trible, York-Poquoson commonwealth’s attorney Ben Hahn praised prosecutors Lisa McKeel and Beth Yusi for their work with children and in difficult, emotional cases. He said both were valuable, local resources.
Avalon also named the winners of its recent art competition, in partnership with Colonial CASA. Members of the Williamsburg Area Art Commission assisted with judging the pieces in a children’s, youth and adult categories.
Knight Smith, who won for adults, said it was an honor to be involved with the project. With the week’s theme of is “30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice,” his drawing included a blindfolded warrior standing over a serpent.
