Street Safe New Mexico Founders
Christine Barber (left) and Cynthia Jaramillo (right)
Christine Barber (left) and Cynthia Jaramillo (right)
Why is street safety important to you?
Because women are being daily raped, beaten and killed in our city and no one seems to notice. I certainly didn’t before I started this work. The average age of death for a street woman is 34. And the cause of death is almost always homicide, suicide or overdose. Most street women — which includes homeless, addicted, sex trafficking victims — are physically attacked four times a month, often by strangers. And one of those attacks usually includes rape. How does this not outrage us? I want to believe that it’s lack of awareness, so that’s what we try to do: Advocate for the women and spread awareness.
How did you come up with the idea to start Street Safe NM?
In 2009, just after the bodies of the women were discovered on West Mesa, I was volunteering with Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless when I met another volunteer — Cynthia Jaramillo. In 1999, Cindy was working on Central Avenue, “doing dates” when she was kidnapped by a John. For three days he tortured her until she was able to escape by stabbing an ice pick into the head of his accomplice and running naked across the desert for help. The police arrested David Parker Ray, aka the Toy Box Killer, whom the FBI classified as an extreme sexual sadist and who is suspected of killing 60 people. She and I got to talking and she said the one thing she really wanted to come out of her experience was for a nonprofit to be formed that would be looking out for the street women. So, that’s what she and I did
What has been the most challenging part?
Taking weekly rape reports from the girls and putting them on our Bad Guy List, which we hand out to the street women. It’s knowing that the men who raped, kidnap and try to kill these women won’t face justice because the women don’t trust the police enough to report the attacks. And it’s knowing that the girls won’t get any help, medical or otherwise, after they are raped.
Since starting this organization have you noticed any changes in yourself or those around you?
I would say that the Street Safe volunteers are the most amazing group of people I have ever met. They are all compassionate and down to earth, yet each approaches the women in such different ways. I am so grateful to have met them. They have changed the way I view teamwork.
Like many organizations trying to better the world, Street Safe New Mexico is a volunteer based organization. If you or someone you know is interesting in volunteering or donating to help, email streetsafenm@gmail.com or call (505) 280-0085. There are plenty jobs available for volunteers from online research to street outreach.
They are currently working toward making their dream of opening a Women's Center a reality. While they have secured a location they are working hard to repair the facility. If handy work is your forte, put your skills to work and contact them!
Know someone else who is making a difference? Big or small, nominate them!
