Jason Farmer / Staff Photographer Hundreds attend the Take Back the Night rally, which started at the University of Scranton's Weinberg Memorial Library, above, and ended at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square on Thursday.
Jason Farmer / Staff Photographer Take Back the Night rallyers march toward Courthouse Square.
Lackawanna College student Jessica Kahler at first did not tell anyone she had been raped at gunpoint in a dark building in 2009.
It was not until she said she "let it out" through writing that she began to heal.
"I am a survivor," she said, before describing details of the sexual assault in front of several hundred people during the annual Take Back the Night event at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square on Thursday.
"You need not to be afraid to tell somebody," she said. "I want to let everybody know you are strong. You are a survivor."
The theme of this year's Take Back the Night was "Prevail."
Ms. Kahler was one of several speakers Thursday who talked about the need to stand up against sexual assault and to encourage awareness.
Take Back the Night began at the University of Scranton on Thursday afternoon, when students and community advocates held a pre-rally at the Dionne Green. Students provided information about sexual assault and other issues. Shirts on which students wrote messages of hope and anguish hung on clotheslines around the green.
"It's a way for people who experience gender-based violence to tell their story," said Joanne Nashi, university senior and Take Back the Night volunteer coordinator.
She said gender-based violence is a "huge problem" that affects everyone and should not be ignored, Ms. Nashi said.
Around 7:30 p.m., Ms. Nashi and others gathered in front of the Weinberg Memorial Library, then marched down Linden Street to the courthouse, while chanting against sexual assault and all forms of violence. They soon packed the square, and the rally continued.
County Commissioner Pat O'Malley said he came to them as someone who has been affected by violence, noting his sister Margie Davis was shot and killed by her abusive husband three decades ago. He presented a proclamation to promote sexual assault awareness.
Anna Faramelli of the Women's Resource Center encouraged people to speak out against the violence. She said people must take a stand against statements, music and movies that glorify it.
"Our fight to end sexual assault will not be won by attending one event," Ms. Faramelli said.
Contact the writer: jmrozinski@timesshamrock.com
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