VIP honors author, sexual assault survivor with Night of Hope 

Posted

HONESDALE, PA — Victims' Intervention Program (VIP) will celebrate author Gigi Kilroe and her journey of hope and resilience from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24 at the Cooperage Project in Honesdale. 

Raised by her grandmother on Church Street, Kilroe found the strength at VIP’s annual Take Back the Night to speak about her sexual assault in 2017.

Since then, she's written a memoir and begun a speaking tour. Through it, she has educated thousands across the state about the traumatic experiences of survivors like her, a spokesperson from VIP said. 

Kilroe is a member of the Office of Victim Advocate's (OVA) Resilient Voices Program, a speaker with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) and is part of the Crime Victim's Alliance of PA. 

“Her words have changed the lives of survivors, offenders, students, parent groups and more,” the spokesperson said. 

Now Kilroe has returned to share her story once more with her former hometown community. 

“Being a survivor, I am someone who found my voice,” she said. “My passion is to help others find their voice." 

During the night, she will read excerpts and share parts of her story with those in attendance, followed by an author-audience Q&A. 

Local band You Know Who Duo will provide acoustic ambiance for the event, and VIP will have light refreshments available. 

Kilroe will also have copies of her book available for sale, and a portion of the evening will be set aside for her to sign them. 

All members of the community, whether survivors themselves or otherwise, are encouraged to come. 

"I wish I could have heard somebody talk about this sooner," Kilroe said, pledging to be that voice for others. "I want people to know there's hope. Strength comes from within." 

VIP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping survivors of victimizing crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, homicide, robbery, identity theft and more. 

It strives to educate the community about these crimes and empower survivors to overcome their trauma and take back their lives. 

What would a world without those crimes look like? Can that dream be made a reality? 

Learn more at www.vipempowers.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram. 

Victims Intervention Program, VIP, Gigi Kilroe, sexual assault survivors, Take Back the Night

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here