By Josie Sellers Beacon Editor

Going to prison saved Eva Moon’ s life, and she hopes to save the lives of others through her nonprofit organization Blue Sky Voice & Opportunity. Moon was the guest speaker at the annual crime victims’ rights luncheon held April 10 in the Coshocton County Commissioners Community Room. The theme for the week-long national celebration held April 6-12 was kinship, connecting, and healing.

“ It seemed from the outside I had a normal life, but I was sexually abused by my father and hid it from others,” Moon said.

Her father had a drinking problem but had quit when she was 16.

“ For the first time I felt safe and decided to have

a sleepover for my 17 th birthday,” Moon said.“ We all ended up getting drunk and my dad went away for rape and sexual assault.”

She became known as the rapist’ s daughter and ended up dropping out of high school. From there she spent years trying to escape her childhood trauma by using drugs and falling in and out of one bad relationship after another. One of those led her to prison, where Moon said she found her voice.

“ I was angry, and I was mad, but I finally got to meet myself and get my college degree,” Moon said.

Moon has an associate’ s in correctional rehabilitation and holds certifications in social service assistance, community and social service assistance, re-entry preparation, corrections and supervision foundations. Now she is

Josie Sellers

April Johnson and Megan Philabaum presented First Step’ s founded Vicki Laudick, right, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual crime victims’ rights luncheon held April 10.

pursuing her bachelor’ s in psychology and using her past experiences to help and support others.

Brianna Harris, victim / witness coordinator, who organized the luncheon, said organizations like Moon’ s are bridges that can help connect victims and

guide them in the healing process.

Others who have done that throughout their careers were honored at the luncheon. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Award Winners were Christie Thornsley, magistrate Coshocton Common

Pleas Court; Lt. Charles“ Chip” Udischas, Coshocton County Sheriff’ s Office; Detective Tyler Mann, Coshocton County Sheriff’ s Office; and Hathaway Construction.

Thornsley has served the victims of Coshocton County throughout her entire career. In her current position as magistrate for the Coshocton County Common Pleas Court she presides over all the petitions for protection orders that are filed in the Coshocton County Common Pleas Court.

“ I’ ve had victims call and say she made them feel safe for the first time,” Harris said.“ I really appreciate her. She is a huge asset to our county.”

Udischas has been with the Coshocton County Sheriff’ s Office for 25 years. He was a road sergeant for five years before being

promoted to the lieutenant in charge of corrections operations.

“ I truly hope the work we do in corrections helps bring peace to the victims of crime in our community,” Udischas said.

Mann started with the sheriff’ s office in 2015 and became a detective in 2021.

“ I want to assure any victim I come in contact with is handled respectfully and carefully, as I would want done for my own family,” he said.

Hathaway Construction was honored for its commitment to the community and to First Step, especially its Hope House Shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

“ We appreciate everything they do,” said Megan

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