AU holds first 'Take Back the Night' event

AU held its first "Take Back the Night" event, a campus-wide walk for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, last Wednesday night. Take Back the Night first began in 1978 in California and New York. "As a new staff member here at AU, I asked if 'Take Back the Night' was held here," said Melva Jones, program coordinator, who also works in the office of Multicultural Affairs. "As a student at Columbia University, Take Back the Night was a yearly event ... I thought AU would benefit from having its own event." The event consisted of a walk around campus beginning at Glover Gate and ending at the entrance to the Kay Spiritual Life Center. As participants walked around campus, they chanted phrases against rape and violence. Leonard Jukkala, coordinator for Public Safety, said Public Safety helped with the walk to make sure participants weren't in danger with campus traffic. Once all participants finished the walk, testimonials were given inside Kay. They were closed to the press to protect the identities of testimonial participants. Four women and two men had signed up to give testimonials, Jones said. The six individuals had the option of either giving their testimonials in the main chapel of Kay, or if they wished to remain anonymous, they met Jones downstairs and talked into a microphone that was broadcast to participants sitting in the upper level of Kay, said Jones. "Melva has really taken a lead as coordinator of the event," said Sarah Waldrin of the office of the dean of students, which co-sponsored the event. "She has done an outstanding job organizing a committee to work on this while handling a number of different jobs." According to Waldrin, over 166 people registered for the walk. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally (GLBTA) Resource Center also co-sponsored the event. "I feel the event will be a huge success," said Mindy Michels, director of the GLBTA. "Of course the rain isn't our friend, but I feel it should be a great event." Other co-sponsors of "Take Back the Night" included the Counseling Center, The Wellness Center and The Naked Truth. Jessica Hollander, a freshman on the organizing committee for Take Back the Night, held programs to advertise for the event during last month's "Greek Week." During her seminars for her independent study, she always mentioned Take Back the Night. "I am doing independent study in women's and gender studies," Hollander said. "I am working to break the silence and educate people about sexual assault and domestic violence." Hollander became involved with Take Back the Night when Waldrin and Gay Young, head of the Women's and Gender Studies Program at AU, recommended her to Jones as a student to help with the event. Hollander said the event was a huge success. To continue having "Take Back the Night" every year, Hollander hopes to apply for grants to aid in the cost of holding the event. "We have a plan and now we know what to do," Hollander said. "I don't think anyone involved will let this event not happen again each year." "You can't sit back and let things like sexual assault and domestic violence happen ... you have to do something," Hollander said. As to whether the event was successful, Jones said it depends on how you define success. According to Jones, if you define success as numbers, many people signed up to walk, including a sorority with 28 members. "If you define success as having your voice heard, the testimonials brought success to the six individuals giving them," Jones said. Students and faculty that participated in the event were eager to share their thoughts. "I had a friend who was sexually assaulted, so I am doing my part for a good cause," said Samii Khalid, freshman. Other students felt that the event was a way for women's issues to be discussed. "It is very important to support women's issues, which are often overlooked," said Alison Miller, senior. Others such as Andrea Miller, a Ph.D student, felt that it is important for AU to publicize women's issues. "It is important to remember that this is 2004 and it's important for AU recognize violence against men and women in society," said Miller, who is also a faculty member in the Women's and Gender Studies Program. "Although it's disappointing that it has taken this long for AU to start Take Back the Night I am happy that it has begun." Students also brought up the fact that issues such as sexual abuse aren't just female issues. "I'm here because it's important to recognize the extent of sexual abuse today," said Aleda Plett, senior. "It's also important to recognize that this is not just a feminine thing...over 90,000 men are raped each year and people who have gone through sexual abuse deserve the respect they need." For a male perspective, Matt Vincent, said, "I am taking a class on responses to violence, so I am here on assignment, but I would've come anyway to offer my support"