Oksana Grigorieva Speaks About Mel Gibson at Artists Against Abuse Gala
Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva, ex-girlfriend of embattled actor and PR nightmare Mel Gibson, spoke at The Retreat’s Artists Against Abuse gala in Bridgehampton on Saturday, June 22. According to RadarOnline, she spoke about her difficult experiences with Gibson, which eventually lead her to leave the star in 2010, following the birth of their daughter and his very public meltdowns.
Saturday’s 18th annual Artists Against Abuse Gala raised money for the The Retreat, an East End organization that helps victims of domestic violence. Celebrities and VIPs were in attendance and the festive evening was filled with live and silent auctions, incredible works of art, games of chance (sports broadcaster and Westhampton resident Ann Liguori won the ring toss!) and dancing to the sounds of The Fabulous Sixties Rock Show.
Artwork by Andrea Kowch, Ben Hengst, Claus Hoie, Dora Maar, Jason Shawn Alexander, Ceravolo, Bob Tabor, Will Ryman and Axel Geis was auctioned, along with lunch for six cooked and served by Ina Garten, tickets to Justin Bieber, tickets to the Dancing With the Stars finale and more. The event has raised close to $2,000,000, helping to make a lifelong impact to more than 15,000 families.
For 26 years, The Retreat has been providing domestic violence services and education to families on the East End of Long Island. Programs include a residential shelter for women and children, a 24-hour domestic violence hotline, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy for all victims of domestic violence, programs to engage troubled fathers and other men who may be at-risk of committing family violence, and an in-school violence prevention education program taught in local area schools. All services are provided free of charge.