NORWICH – Friday night, Chenango County held its first “Take Back the Night” event, and with students, community members and survivors coming out to take part in the rally and march, the event had the desired effect: raising awareness of crimes against women.
Morrisville State’s Norwich Campus and Catholic Charities came together to co-host the event, in hopes of ending sexual violence and abuse. Catholic Charities Crime Victims Educator and Advocate Beth Neuland welcomed everyone and explained that “Take Back the Night” events are intended to raise awareness about sexual and violent assault and to give survivors an “opportunity to give voice to their experience and publicly affirm their transition from victim to survivor.” Neuland said every two and a half minutes, there is a sexual assault in America.
Ted Nichols, dean of the Norwich Campus, said he hoped the event would provide an opportunity for women to make connections and to speak out about what is important to them. Nichols explained that the Norwich Campus student body is 60 to 70 percent female. “That’s part of what makes this a caring compassionate community,” Nichols said. “I hope we can continue this event next year.”
Several speakers took to the podium during the rally, including Nichols, Student Body President Julie Schapiro, Neuland, New York State Police Investigator Michelle Marshall and Norwich Police Officer Jeremy Burdick.
“The number one problem is the lack of awareness,” Marshall explained. “That is why rape is still the most under reported crime.” Marshall explained that one third of all women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at one point in their lives, and 30 percent of Americans say they know a woman who has been abused in the past year. Marshall said in order to end the cycle of abuse, we need to educate, listen and show support.
“Educate your friends about crimes of silence,” Marshall said, referring to rape, date rape and other violent and sexual crimes. “Listen to victims and don’t question them, and show the compassion and support they need.”
Marshall said the police community has made tremendous strides in the way they interview victims of sexual and domestic assault and minimize the trauma to the victim. “Support each other to stop sexual assault and violent sex crimes,” Marshall said.
Following the police presentation, survivors of violent assaults were invited to share their stories with the group. One woman, a 22-year survivor, took the podium and told the crowd about a violent rape that had occurred when she was 36 years old. “I had worked over 100 hours that week, and my mother took my three girls so I could get some sleep. I woke up with a bowie knife on my cheek. For the next hour and a half, my only concern was on surviving,” she said.
Since she had attended a two-day training course at Broome Developmental, the woman knew to stay calm and to keep her wits about her. She explained she was tied up with rope and left. She managed to get herself to the phone and call for help.
“I’m here to tell you that life goes on. That was one incident in my life, but I’ve become stronger and learned to recognize the signs in other people. It goes on from there,” she said. “Hiding and keeping secrets are not the answer. You can’t spend your life keeping secrets. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I realized it was his fault, not mine.”
Neuland thanked everyone for attending the event. “Just be being here, your show of support is tremendous.” The rally ended with a march from the Norwich Campus to the Chenango County Courthouse.