Take Back the Night is an annual march to raise awareness about sexual violence and show support for survivors. Take Back the Night began in the 1970s and was originally only for female survivors. We currently recognize that anyone can be affected by sexual assault and anyone can be a supporter. This is why we ask you to join together as a community on Thursday April 7, 2011 to take back the night.
The march will begin on the steps on Olin with a brief speech and will include performance by Onomatopoeia and Cardinal Sinners. We will then march from the steps to the CFA lawn for the first speak out circle. Along the march, snacks will be provided by DKE, Beta, and Psi U fraternities. The speak out circles are meant to be safe, anonymous spaces where those who wish to can share their experiences and stories with sexual violence. During these circles, listeners will respectfully absorb the stories by remaining silent and attentive. For those who do not feel comfortable either speaking at or attending the event you can also share your experience in the form of a narrative submission. These submissions will not be edited or dramatized and will be read during one of the two speak out circles. The second speak out circle will be on Andrus Field and will be followed by a candle lighting ceremony and count off. After the event Erin Clark from the Middletown Women and Families Center will lead a debriefing session in Usdan 110. The session will be available for anyone who would like to talk or learn more about sexual violence, as Take Back the Night can be a powerful experience. This is open even if you could not attend the event but would like a safe place to discuss your experience or how to support a friend.
For an issue that is so prevalent in the world, it is not recognized or spoken about nearly enough to match its high level of incidence. It is an issue often surrounded by misunderstanding and victim-blaming. Many survivors find themselves silenced, judged, or scared to speak around this issue due to the stigma attached. Take Back the Night offers a safe and respectful environment to defy this stigma, especially on our campus. It is a way to come together as a community to break the silence and raise awareness. It is a way to show survivors they are not alone and a place where friends can offer support to those who have been affected.
Sexual violence is not only a widespread issue, it happens on our campus. Take Back the Night is a way for us to support survivors but just as importantly a way for our community to show that sexual violence will not be tolerated on our campus. By all coming out and attending this event, we show that we care about this issue and that it needs to be addressed not only by those directly affected but by the campus as a whole. This is an issue that affects everyone on this campus, even if you do not know it yet. We look forward to see you on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. on the Olin steps.
In addition to supporting the cause by coming out and marching we are also seeking volunteers for the night of the march. Please contact Monica (mfuhrmann@wes), Brenna (bgalvin@wes), or Greta (mramdin@wes) for more information about volunteering. Narrative submissions can be submitted anonymously by email to tbtnsubmission@gmail.com or to wesboxes, 90203 or 92835.
Ramdin is a member of the class of 2012.
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