Queens on Threes led the ride, escorted by MCSO.
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Other groups that participated were Family & Friends North/South Riders of Dillon, Nu Ryderz MC of Darlington, Xplicit Ryders of Laurinburg, 360 Degrees Riders of Cheraw and Freestyle Boyz of Bennettsville.
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
The Pee Dee Coalition in Marlboro County is located on 108 S. Parsonage Street, Bennettsville.
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
For more information, visit www.peedeecoalition.org .
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
BLENHEIM — Saturday morning a large group of bikers decked out in teal and royal blue bandanas descended on Blenheim to participate in the Pee Dee Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Assault’s first ever Ride Against Sexual Assault and Child Abuse. April is sexual assault awareness month and child abuse prevention month.
Coalition Service Coordinator for Marlboro County Wendy Wood said the ride was strictly to raise awareness of the issues mentioned above. “We are going to ride through every municipality in the county to spread knowledge and awareness of our cause. The teal bandanas represent sexual assault awareness, and the royal blue stands for child abuse prevention.”
Before the ride began, Wood and others spoke to the gathered crowd. Blenheim Mayor Bradley McAllister welcomed the riders and thanked them for spreading awareness of the issues, while Pastor Redbud gave the prayer.
Wood introduced Pee Dee Coalition volunteer from Chesterfield and child sexual assault survivor Vicky, who preferred not to use her last name. She told the crowd, “I’m a survivor of child sexual assault. When I was little, sexual assault wasn’t talked about in my family, so I felt unseen. The healing didn’t begin until someone believed me. So today I choose to say ‘I believe you.’ Healing begins when someone bears witness.”
Wood then pointed out the back of Vicky’s shirt which read ‘This girl is no longer silent’ and explained, “Sexual assault is something that happens and is kept silent, but we are bringing awareness and talking about it. The same thing with child abuse. Childhood should be full of innocence and joy.”
Wood then held up a blue and silver pinwheel and continued, “That’s what this pinwheel represents — the joy and innocence of children. That’s why we use it as a symbol during child abuse prevention month to remind people children should grow up happy and joyful. We will leave these pinwheels in every town and city we go through today to remind people of this issue.”
The group was escorted by the MCSO while the Queens on Threes, a group of Marlboro County women on Can-Am three wheelers, led the way. Other groups that participated were Family & Friends North/South Riders of Dillon, Nu Ryderz MC of Darlington, Xplicit Ryders of Laurinburg, 360 Degrees Riders of Cheraw and Freestyle Boyz of Bennettsville.
The group left Blenheim and rode through Clio, then McColl, Tatum, and Wallace before ending the ride at the courthouse in Bennettsville.
Wood gave a shoutout to the following people and organizations for all their help: Tommy Parker, Mayor Bradley C. McAlister and Kenlynn Sports McAlister, Chairman Michael Coachman, Sergeant Josh Dew, Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department and Bennettsville Police Department, Clio Police Department, McColl Town Hall, Town of Tatum, Marlboro County Court House and very special thank you to Wallace Elementary.
The Pee Dee Coalition in Marlboro County is located on 108 S. Parsonage Street, Bennettsville, SC, 29512. The Center’s phone number is 843-479-0882. The PDC’s Free 24-Hour Crisis Line: 843-699-4600 or 1-800-273-1820. The website is www.peedeecoalition.org