AUBURN - “You are not alone,” was the prevailing message at the 26th annual “Take Back the Night” rally organized Wednesday evening by the Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate Resource organization..

Inspiration and empowerment are at the heart of SAVAR's rallies, organized to promote prevention and awareness and to support survivors of sexual violence and physical abuse.

With nearly 200 people in attendance, Sheriff David Gould said, “The crowd this year is bigger than I've seen it.”

He spotlighted the new Child Advocacy Center which is expected to open in June.

“I'm hopeful that we're going to prevent anyone from being abused again,” he said. “The Center is something everyone has worked for since 1989. This is going to be the best one in New York state. You will see a difference in this community.

“I get very passionate about this,” he said. “We have to do something. We're the only ones who can.”

A welcome from Auburn Mayor Michael Quill at Memorial City Hall began the march down South and Genesee streets.

The Cayuga Community College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Michael Cortese, played “Red Clay” and “Chameleon” for those assembled. Three different choral groups from Wells College also performed “Whirligigs,” “Appointed” and “Henry's VIII.”

A self-defense demonstration and clinic at the Auburn Public Theater with Sensei Peter Petrosino preceded the march.

Rosa Grube, SAVAR education coordinator, with SAVAR for 11 years, welcomed supporters and introduced the speakers.

Alice Jordan, parent partner and SAVAR case manager, said, “This is what grass roots change is all about. We demand that we live in a community that is free of violence. We demand that all walk safely into the night.”

“This evening is for survivors to help mend wounds and build dreams,” said Peter Tortorici, chairman of the county Legislature, said. “For the rest of us, there is strength in numbers. We will not tolerate abuse in our community.”

“We still have a long way to go,” District Attorney Jon Budelmann said. “People here and in the community are hurting and in despair.” The struggle to stop sexual assault and domestic violence is an ongoing battle.

Budelmann told the story of a boy, victimized by a relative The boy told his mother, the police and the grand jury. During the case, two special-needs girls had been victimized by the same person, but refused to go through the prosecution process.

“We owe that young boy a debt,” he said. “Not everyone has that strength.”

“To victims and survivors, your struggle is our struggle,” he said. “To abusers, you cannot hide any more. We're going to pursue you, apprehend you and prosecute you.”

Survivor MacKenzie Trumbul,18, was the keynote speaker. This is the third and last year he described being repeatedly raped for five years, from the age of 9, by his babysitter's son.

“That was the day that the boy met the monster who would haunt him for the rest of his life,” he said. “The monster told him he would kill his family so he didn't tell.”

Trumbul explained that he began drinking, shutting down and having nightmares.

At 14, his parents broke up and he moved away, but after he moved back to New York, he began cutting himself. He expressed the feeling of wanting to die in order to be free. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and got help through SAVAR.

“This is my last year in counseling,” he said. “The counselor said there's nothing more I can do.”

MacKenzie is going to college and wants to be a SAVAR advocate.

He tells victims who experience flashbacks, “Look outside at the trees and the sky and the mountains. They are always there. In the morning look for the rising sun. It holds a promise. Something new is going to happen. When you go to bed, look at the moon and stars. Find the silver lining that I've tried so hard to find. I'm standing here today, taking back the five years he stole from me.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net