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In 17 months fighting to end #DomesticViolence in memory of my sis, Kate Rafferty Petrocco, I did not expect a big W to come from an org dedicated to land #Conservation. Thanks to the swift, empathetic actions of @ConservationFdn dignity has been restored to a victim. Thread...
I saw yesterday that (unresponsive) @adamscountygov Commissioner @EvaHenryAdco was lauding the recent land sale in Brighton to Petrocco Farms via a deal w @ConservationFdn, Adams County, and @CityofBrighton. "Preserving a historic family farm," the article read.
Understandably, @ConservationFdn could not have expected their article highlighting the success of this deal would be a trauma trigger for #DomesticViolence victims or advocates. But when a family with a documented 25 yr history of violence is praised, it can be triggering AF.
#DomesticViolence perpetuates bc abusers count on their public façade to protect them from scrutiny when their victims -bruised, battered, broken- finally speak up after yrs of a pattern of abuse. In my sister's case, that included rape, strangulation, held at gunpoint, stalking.
The attitude of "well he's always been nice to me" or "but I seem them in church all the time" further silences and traumatizes victims. The reason campaigns like @SBB_EVAWintl are so, SO important is bc victims are often doubted. @ViolenceFreeCO
After all, it's easier to think a victim (often a woman) exaggerates than it is to confront a monster (often a man).
@NCADV @nnedv @RAINN
@NCADV @nnedv @RAINN
So the Petrocco family sells their vegetables under the guise of a "family business," when in reality, 4 of 6 divorces from Petrocco men/farm executives since 1995 have ended w calls to police reporting years of vicious, violent abuse. Their public façade is a sham.
While a simple background search would have yielded the four arrests for #DomesticViolence against 1/2 of Petrocco Farms leadership, that was evidently not done by @ConservationFdn, @GreatOutdoorsCO, @CityofBrighton, or @adamscountygov. You'd think @kroger would take notice...
When I called @ConservationFdn yesterday to raise this issue, I was met with deep empathy, as well as an appreciation for my sister's life and what she suffered as a victim of #DomesticViolence. To be genuinely heard for one of the 1st times in over a year was restorative.
When presented w irrefutable evidence of #Petrocco violence, the Fund removed the news story from their website and deleted their Tweet praising the transaction. This is a BIG deal. I am incredibly grateful to @ConservationFdn on behalf of #DomesticViolence victims & survivors.
The Fund staff I spoke w thanked me for helping them "learn and grow."
Let me be clear, @ConservationFdn is doing great, important, impactful work. Having been the fundraiser for @SalazarNAmerica, I know the importance of these land deals and how hard they are to put together.
Let me be clear, @ConservationFdn is doing great, important, impactful work. Having been the fundraiser for @SalazarNAmerica, I know the importance of these land deals and how hard they are to put together.
What the @ConservationFdn said in removing their own PR is that my sister's life mattered, what she suffered mattered, and her life still has value. Ppl worked hard on what they think/thought is good for @adamscountygov & CO, and they put that aside to honor a victim. Thank you.
I now call on @CityofBrighton @adamscountygov Commissioners @EvaHenryAdco @ehpinter @SteveODorisio @commishTedesco to follow their lead. Stop celebrating the preservation of a "family biz" with a 25 yr history of violence against their own family in your community. @NOMOREorg
Kathleen was as much a part of Brighton as David. She made 1/5 of his salary doing 4 jobs to his 1 for a decade. She was a volunteer, an engaged parent, & a Victim Advocate in @da17colorado. She died w a rope around her neck, alone in her home, after suffering unspeakable abuse.
How much is one woman's life worth? I think at the very least, it's worth pulling back the mask of respectability on a family business whose hypocrisy has enabled the systematic silencing of 4 women across 25 yrs. What say you, @michaelkarlik, @liamsadams and @colo_politics?
I applaud once more the actions of @ConservationFdn and the dignity you have restored a victim of #DomesticViolence. I encourage other organizations like @denverpost to follow suit because this matters - rhetoric matters; actions matter; my sister's life will always matter.
We can end #DomesticViolence if we are only willing to have these hard conversations; to confront the monsters in our midst. Today is a win for victims, for survivors, for decency & empathy. More to do... Your move, @CityofBrighton @adamscountygov @GreatOutdoorsCO @colo_politics.
