FARMINGTON — On Dec. 12, SAVES hosted a candlelight vigil and speak-out in support of male victims and survivors of sexual assault in response to the recent media attention surrounding Syracuse and Penn State.

Franklin County’s sexual assault crisis center brought together a group of almost 20 individuals for a candlelight vigil to support men as victims and survivors of sexual assault. The group of staff and community members met at the SAVES offices at the Holman House. The procession went from Main Street, up and down Broadway and ended at the gazebo in Meeting House Park where a small speak out and a moment of silence was observed by everyone present. Member of the procession also handed out informational flyers about issues of sexual assault to people that were passed by.

“When I was abused as a child, I knew no one heard or believed me, I felt alone,” said one attendee in the speak out portion, “but seeing all of you here, knowing that organizations like SAVES exist, knowing the people standing in front of me believe and support me, it’s helped me on my journey to healing.” Many others echoed this sentiment, as well as talked about how difficult it was to come forward and how they hope they can help people deal with the same issues they had to face alone for so long.