Scarsdale Rallies to End Sexual Violence

Keynote Speaker Lauren TetenbaumEnding sexual violence in all its forms requires not just awareness, but also healing, prevention, and cultural shifts. These were just some of the messages delivered by Lauren Tetenbaum, LCSW, who served as the keynote speaker Tuesday evening during Scarsdale’s first-ever, Take Back the Night Rally. More than 75 members of the community came to Chase Park to show their support for the cause by joining in the vigil and participating in a ceremonial march around the Village. Together, participants recited chants of empowerment and demands for change during the walk.

“Globally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience some form of sexual or intimate partner violence. While the number of reports of domestic violence incidents in Westchester County has decreased in the past decade, the figures are likely under-reported – and any is too many,” said Tetenbaum who is an expert on reproductive rights and women’s mental health and works professionally as a psychotherapist. She is also a former practicing lawyer with experience supporting survivors of domestic violence, the author of a book on women’s health, and the mother of two children who attend elementary school here in Scarsdale. Tetenbaum highlighted that while Westchester has excellent resources for survivors of sexual assault, preventing it altogether through systemic change is key. “These are difficult topics to think about, to talk about, but we must do so to destigmatize them. Prevention starts with education, and that starts with us: the teachers, parents, and allies in our community.”

The Scarsdale Safe Coalition aims to prevent sexual assault and all forms of violence by reducing the risk factors that contribute to violent behaviors, including harmful norms that support aggression or perpetuate dangerous and outdated ideas around masculinity and femininity. SFCS Executive Director Jay Genova stated that he was pleased to see so many male adults and students in the crowd, noting that men hold an important role in ending sexual violence. Tetenbaum echoed that “locker room talk” in which women are devalued and objectified is not funny or acceptable, and that witnesses to any form of sexual assault should intervene when safe and appropriate.

Take Back the Night is a global movement dedicated to ending all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender-based harassment, and relationship violence, while also supporting survivors in their healing journeys. Safe Coalition Coordinator Millie Chatelain served as emcee of the evening.

The rally was organized by the Scarsdale Safe Coalition and its community and county partners, including the Scarsdale Police Department, the Scarsdale Library, Friends of the Music and Arts, Pace Women’s Justice Center, Westcop, and the Putnam Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center and sponsored by Hope’s Door and the Junior League of Central Westchester. The event also featured eleven-year-old Hermione Fung, a local student representing Friends of Music and Arts who played a soothing musical piece on her violin, the Scarsdale High School acapella group, For Good Measure, and Sushi, Scarsdale Police Department’s facility dog who provided emotional support and comfort to the attendees. Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service serves as the lead agency and fiscal agent.

For more information about the Safe Coalition or to become involved, please contact Millie Chatelain, LMHC, at mchatelain@sfcsinc.org.