‘Jane Doe No More’ Founder

To Speak In Southbury

SOUTHBURY — On Tuesday, November 16, at 7 pm, The Federation, Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut, Inc, 444 Main Street North, will host Donna Palomba, founder of Jane Doe No More Inc. Jane Doe No More was born out of the experience of Ms Palomba, a Woodbury resident who was raped in her home by a masked intruder in 1993.

For 14 years she was “Jane Doe” in police files and media reports. In April 2007, Ms Palomba came forward in public for the first time to tell her story and launch the Jane Doe No More initiative on Dateline NBC.

In addition, her case was the impetus for a new Connecticut bill signed into law in July 2007 removing the statute of limitations on sexual assault crimes involving DNA evidence.

“Rape and sexual assault aren’t just women’s issues — they’re community issues. That’s why it’s so important to talk about sexual assault and raise this misunderstood and underreported crime in the public consciousness,” explained Ms Palomba. “That is one of our goals at Jane Doe No More; to raise awareness and dispel the myths and break the stigmas so often associated with this violent crime.”

The Jane Doe No More team comprises law enforcement, medical, legal, and business executives, as well as victims’ service professionals dedicated to ensure the proper treatment of victims, which will shorten the time to their healing and allow for the best possible chance of recovery.

Crime happens every day and to anyone. When women or men suffer an attack or a sexual assault, traditionally family and friends do not know how to react or help. Sadly, many of these women and men were not given the support they needed in order to allow the healing process to continue.

Jane Doe No More is improving the way society responds to victims of sexual assault. Ms Palomba was one such woman.

Using her own experiences, she has gone on to effect changes in the way first responders and law enforcement officers are trained and she is educating the public about how to work to shorten the time from crime to healing. She believes “it is the responsibility of everyone in our society to be aware and do what we can to give these women and men the best opportunity for a full and healthy recovery.”

Noting that this is a hard topic with painful stories, she adds, “However, we need to hear them and learn how we all can help remove the social stigma and taboos about sexual assault and break the cycle of ignorance and silence.”

This program is free and open to the community.

Due to space limitations registration is requested. For more information or questions phone 203-267-3177, extension 106, e-mail cburger@jfed.net or visit The Federation website, www.jfed.net.