Assemblywoman Celeste Riley will be honored next week by Salem County’s Women’s Services (SCWS) for her continued legislative efforts on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Riley will receive the “Person of the Year” award at the agency’s 24th annual dinner celebration on Friday, October 14, at the Washington Club in Penns Grove. The award is timely given that the legislature recently passed a bill sponsored by Riley that will bolster protections for domestic violence victims by imposing more stringent bail restrictions for anyone charged with violating a domestic violence restraining order. Riley has also been a major advocate for funding for women’s health centers.
“This is a tremendous honor coming from an organization that does such extraordinary work on behalf of vulnerable women,” said Riley (D-Salem/Cumberland/Gloucester). “Domestic violence and sexual assault are a real and pervasive threat to women throughout our state. Through the collective efforts of Salem County’s Women’s Services and our legislative measures, hopefully we can provide the strength and support these women need to overcome these difficult situations.”
SCWS is a private, non-profit agency serving victims, children and perpetrators of domestic violence in Salem County since 1987. The agency offers services that include an emergency shelter, individual counseling, support groups, legal referrals and court preparation, parent skills training, educational materials, networking/information and referral, and an Alternatives to Violence Group for batterers. Additionally, SCWS offers a Sexual Assault Program to educate the public about rape and its consequences, provide emotional support and guidance needed by victims of sexual assault and their significant others, and change attitudes so that communities refuse to tolerate rape.