Who are the Green River Victims?
More than 90 prostituted women and girls are presumed murdered by Gary Ridgway between 1981 and his arrest in 2001 in the Seattle area. He was charged with killing 49 identified victims more than half of whom were under the age of 18, and admitted to killing more that were never found or identified.
Why create a memorial for the victims of the Green River Killer?
This tragedy has gone unacknowledged for too long. Until the families of victims and survivors have experienced healing from these murders, our community as a whole cannot begin to heal. We must address the violence of prostitution that continues all around us. These victims deserve to be acknowledged!
People often excuse the violence done to women and children in the life of prostitution as if they were asking for it or somehow brought it upon themselves. This attitude is similar to how people often think about women who experience domestic violence, rape, and sexual harassment and is known as victim blaming. The Green River Victims Memorial will help dispel the myths about prostitution that make blaming the victim so prevalent, and provide a place for future generations to learn from our painful past.
Please click here to find out more about the Green River Victims Memorial Phase I.
HUMAN RIGHTS SOCIETY 