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Balloon release Friday for sexual assault victims

by M. Dilworth • August 18, 2014

Balloon release preview

LAKE LOS ANGELES – A balloon release ceremony will be held this Friday in Lake Los Angeles to remind the community of local survivors of sexual assault.

The event is being presented by the Ladies of Lake LA: No Christopher Hubbart in the Antelope Valley, according to organizer and rape survivor Cheryl Holbrook.

“We feel it is important to honor victims and survivors of sexual abuse, whether it be rape or molestation,” Holbrook stated. “There are many sexual assault victims that need to know that we and our local leaders are there for them.”

The “Balloon Release Ceremony for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Assault” takes place from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, at Twin Lakes Community Church, located at 17213 Lake Los Angeles Avenue (east of the Lake L.A. Fire Station).

Holbrook said the ceremony will feature several guest speakers, including State Senator Steve Knight, Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Captain Don Ford, Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Captain Pat Nelson, Palmdale City Councilmember Tom Lackey, State Assemblymember Steve Fox, and other special guests.

Pastor Bob Benoit will lead attendees in prayer for all sexual assault victims, Holbrook said, and then the event will conclude with a balloon release to honor and give hope to local survivors.

Every two minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted; and 60% of rapes/sexual assaults are not reported to the police, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“There are about 900 sexual offenders being released very soon in California, and more than 200 of them are sexually violent predators who will be released to our community,” Holbrook stated, citing research conducted by the Ladies of Lake L.A. “We will be handing out information, as well, to teach people how to protect themselves from being assaulted.”

A petition will also be circulated asking the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to pass an ordinance that restricts the residential placement of sexually violent predators, Holbrook said.

To learn more about the conditional release of sexually violent predators in Los Angeles County, visit http://da.lacounty.gov/LACSVP.htm.

For more information on the “Balloon Release Ceremony for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Assault,” contact Cheryl Holbrook  at 661-916-5730 or Debra Hill at 661-361-9782. View a flyer for this event here.

Previous related stories:

‘Pillowcase Rapist’ released to AV

Reader: “Consider an alternative to fear and judgment”

Has Antelope Valley become a ‘dumping ground’ for sex offenders?

Filed Under: Lancaster, Palmdale

10 comments for "Balloon release Friday for sexual assault victims"

  1. Georgina Sikora says

    August 19, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    Damsel in Defense will be at this event! I will have stock on hand and if you want to book an Empower hour you will be able to do so! Get your friends together and your family and loved ones and get everyone equipped!! http://www.stungungurl.com

  2. DM says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Balloons are rubber and biodegradable.

    • Bob says

      August 20, 2014 at 9:36 am

      He DM! BRILLIANT!

  3. Antoinette says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:19 am

    Just what Earth needs: more space junk. Brilliant.

  4. Heather says

    August 18, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    This is so bad for the environment!!! I sure hope they change this before the weekend.

  5. What? says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    Balloon release? Y’all should rally against the officials in LA that keep sending the junk out here! Let’s just hope they don’t decide to send all them predators out here!

  6. dumbandblind says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Releasing balloons like inmates to allow them to do what they do best.

  7. Lori says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    So happy to see officials supporting these women who are trying to help the AV! I was at the candlelight ceremony where they counted off 40 victims, one at a time, while a candle was lit in their honor. Powerful! Count to 40, slowly, and realize this is how many (at least) this one man victimized. Time to get the laws changed so abusers are not released to be able to victimize again.

    • A Richard says

      August 19, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Wow, 40 victims…. so just the victims of the pillowcase rapist…..? With all the releases, you’re gonna need some more candles….

      • sikntired says

        August 19, 2014 at 7:46 pm

        Article States “for survivors and victims of sexual assault”,not victims of Hubbart.
        As for pollution of the desert, gimme a break, its already polluted with mattresses, condoms, beer cans and meth labs so a few balloons won’t make much difference.

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