AUBURN - Bertha Schavemaker is not afraid to admit that most of her childhood was filled with abuse.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Tiphanie Copeland, right, and Dora-Lisah St. John, both of the Wells College gospel choir, Appointed, lead the crowd of supporters with a megaphone during the Take Back the Night march down Genesee Street Wednesday evening.
Tiphanie Copeland, right, and Dora-Lisah St. John, both of the Wells College gospel choir, Appointed, lead the crowd of supporters with a megaphone during the Take Back the Night march down Genesee Street Wednesday evening.
When she found that a 5-year-old relative was being abused, she began to speak out.
“We are getting through it together,” she said during the annual Take Back the Night rally held on the steps of city hall Wednesday evening. “Events like this help people to have the courage to move forward.”
Schavemaker said that although her relative is young and doesn't realize what the rally was about, she believes that it's never too early to teach children about difficult topics.
Sponsored by SAVAR (Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Resource), the event is held each year to keep awareness of domestic and sexual violence in the forefront of people's minds.
Led by the Auburn Police Department, citizens marched along South Street to Genesee Street and back around to city hall chanting, “no more violence, no more silence” and “Auburn unite, take back the night.”
“Sexual abuse is a battle that requires
a community to fight,” said Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason. “Victims need more than what we plan to do. They need to see what we are doing. We need to reach out and assure them that they are not alone.”
Vargason said that the abusers need to know that the community will not stand for the abuse.
“We need to tell the abuser that you cannot hide,” he said. “We will pursue you. We will apprehend you and we will imprison you. This is a topic that can have no exceptions.”
It was a bit too windy to light candles for the abuse survivors who anonymously shared their stories through letters that were read to supporters by SAVAR volunteers.
“I think that the hardest part is the shame,” said Helen Dwyer, of SAVAR. “They need to know that it is not something to be ashamed of. Speaking out is very freeing.”
Dwyer said that more women than men tend to seek out counseling for abuse. She said that shame has a big impact on that statistic.
“It happens to men as well,” she said. “It seems to be a phobia for them, great shame.”
Patrick Carroll, 13, of Union Springs, has attended the event for the past few years with his mother. He feels that everyone can make a difference, no matter how old they are.
“Violence is wrong,” he said. “There is just no reason for it. I believe that the rally helps keep awareness out there.”
SAVAR director Staci Berg said the annual march helps victims to come forward and know that they aren't alone.
“Education is by far the best for prevention and awareness,” she said.
“We are getting through it together,” she said during the annual Take Back the Night rally held on the steps of city hall Wednesday evening. “Events like this help people to have the courage to move forward.”
Schavemaker said that although her relative is young and doesn't realize what the rally was about, she believes that it's never too early to teach children about difficult topics.
Sponsored by SAVAR (Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Resource), the event is held each year to keep awareness of domestic and sexual violence in the forefront of people's minds.
Led by the Auburn Police Department, citizens marched along South Street to Genesee Street and back around to city hall chanting, “no more violence, no more silence” and “Auburn unite, take back the night.”
“Sexual abuse is a battle that requires
a community to fight,” said Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason. “Victims need more than what we plan to do. They need to see what we are doing. We need to reach out and assure them that they are not alone.”
Vargason said that the abusers need to know that the community will not stand for the abuse.
“We need to tell the abuser that you cannot hide,” he said. “We will pursue you. We will apprehend you and we will imprison you. This is a topic that can have no exceptions.”
It was a bit too windy to light candles for the abuse survivors who anonymously shared their stories through letters that were read to supporters by SAVAR volunteers.
“I think that the hardest part is the shame,” said Helen Dwyer, of SAVAR. “They need to know that it is not something to be ashamed of. Speaking out is very freeing.”
Dwyer said that more women than men tend to seek out counseling for abuse. She said that shame has a big impact on that statistic.
“It happens to men as well,” she said. “It seems to be a phobia for them, great shame.”
Patrick Carroll, 13, of Union Springs, has attended the event for the past few years with his mother. He feels that everyone can make a difference, no matter how old they are.
“Violence is wrong,” he said. “There is just no reason for it. I believe that the rally helps keep awareness out there.”
SAVAR director Staci Berg said the annual march helps victims to come forward and know that they aren't alone.
“Education is by far the best for prevention and awareness,” she said.