AUBURN - Community members filled the walls of Memorial City Hall in Auburn with chants to break victims' silence and end the cycle of violence in a rally Wednesday.
Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
Wells College students Kyra Schugt, left, and Ariel Lawson participate in the Take Back the Night march and rally along Genesee Street in Auburn Wednesday. The event aimed to promote prevention and awareness for sexual violence and abuse.
Wells College students Kyra Schugt, left, and Ariel Lawson participate in the Take Back the Night march and rally along Genesee Street in Auburn Wednesday. The event aimed to promote prevention and awareness for sexual violence and abuse.
More than 150 people marched down South and Genesee streets before listening to speakers at city hall during this year's Take Back the Night event.
Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Resource of Cayuga Counseling sponsored the annual event.
Rosa Grube, SAVAR education coordinator, lead the service to encourage people to speak up about sexual abuse, assault, rape and domestic violence. The rally's theme was Break the Silence, Stop the Violence.
“I think survivors get strength seeing those standing up there with them and supporting them,” Grube said. Those who aren't survivors of sexual abuse or domestic violence probably know those who have experienced some type of violence, Grube said.
The rally helped start conversations about abuse or violence, and lets people know it's OK to talk about it, she added.
“This breaks the silence of abuse. (This rally) brings up things people are uncomfortable bringing up, and that starts change,” said Alice Jordan, SAVAR advocate.
While the evening had tears and sorrowful stories, groups sang uplifting songs, such as “Lean on Me” and speakers shared messages of survival and empowerment. Wells College singing groups Whiligigs, Appointed and Henry's 8 sang during the event.
People from the YMCA mentoring program Y-Pal and Booker T. Washington also participated.
Jordan added that the rally isn't only for those who have personal experience with sexual abuse or domestic violence. The community needs to become aware of the magnitude of the problem. The rally sends a message that abusers will not be tolerated, Jordan said.
Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason echoed this sentiment.
He spoke to both the survivors of sexual assault, abuse, domestic violence, or any other violent crime, and those who inflict the pain.
To the victims, he told them, they are not alone. Their struggles are the community's struggles.
To the criminals, Vargason warned them they can not hide.
County sheriff David Gould and officials from the Auburn Police Department also attended.
People read statements from survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence and incest. Some shared their own stories, others read prepared statements.
“To stop the violence, it requires the community to break the silence,” Vargason said.
Take Back the Night marches and rallies have been conducted around the globe. Cathy Brochu spoke at Syracuse University's rally, but Wednesday was her first Take Back the Night rally in Cayuga County.
As an author of books about sexual abuse and incest, she hopes such events help victims find strength. Her books are titled “Lost Innocence” and “New Beginnings: in Search of Self.”
“I hope to empower and encourage individuals and the county to move beyond barriers, to talk more about sexual abuse and incest,” Brochu said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Resource of Cayuga Counseling sponsored the annual event.
Rosa Grube, SAVAR education coordinator, lead the service to encourage people to speak up about sexual abuse, assault, rape and domestic violence. The rally's theme was Break the Silence, Stop the Violence.
“I think survivors get strength seeing those standing up there with them and supporting them,” Grube said. Those who aren't survivors of sexual abuse or domestic violence probably know those who have experienced some type of violence, Grube said.
The rally helped start conversations about abuse or violence, and lets people know it's OK to talk about it, she added.
“This breaks the silence of abuse. (This rally) brings up things people are uncomfortable bringing up, and that starts change,” said Alice Jordan, SAVAR advocate.
While the evening had tears and sorrowful stories, groups sang uplifting songs, such as “Lean on Me” and speakers shared messages of survival and empowerment. Wells College singing groups Whiligigs, Appointed and Henry's 8 sang during the event.
People from the YMCA mentoring program Y-Pal and Booker T. Washington also participated.
Jordan added that the rally isn't only for those who have personal experience with sexual abuse or domestic violence. The community needs to become aware of the magnitude of the problem. The rally sends a message that abusers will not be tolerated, Jordan said.
Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason echoed this sentiment.
He spoke to both the survivors of sexual assault, abuse, domestic violence, or any other violent crime, and those who inflict the pain.
To the victims, he told them, they are not alone. Their struggles are the community's struggles.
To the criminals, Vargason warned them they can not hide.
County sheriff David Gould and officials from the Auburn Police Department also attended.
People read statements from survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence and incest. Some shared their own stories, others read prepared statements.
“To stop the violence, it requires the community to break the silence,” Vargason said.
Take Back the Night marches and rallies have been conducted around the globe. Cathy Brochu spoke at Syracuse University's rally, but Wednesday was her first Take Back the Night rally in Cayuga County.
As an author of books about sexual abuse and incest, she hopes such events help victims find strength. Her books are titled “Lost Innocence” and “New Beginnings: in Search of Self.”
“I hope to empower and encourage individuals and the county to move beyond barriers, to talk more about sexual abuse and incest,” Brochu said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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KNOWTHESEGALS wrote on Apr 26, 2007 7:55 PM: