‘Take Back the Night’ raises awareness of sexual, domestic violence at Penn State
About 100 community members gathered Wednesday night on Penn State Old Main’s lawn to participate in “Take Back the Night,” the first of a number of events planned in Centre County for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The annual event was hosted by the Penn State sorority Lambda Theta Alpha and was co-sponsored by R-VOICE Center and Centre Safe. Every year, the crowd gathers first on Old Main’s lawn and then marches to places on campus where sexual assaults are more likely to happen. The first stop was Pattee and Paterno Library.
Along the way, survivors share their stories.
Sophia Mills, associate director of R-VOICE and a Penn State alum, said that her interest in sexual assault awareness grew after taking a course by Penn State sociology and criminology professor Caren Bloom about sexual and dating violence.
“My love has just grown for prevention and education, and something that I have always said, and will continue to say is, I truly believe that education, awareness and outreach is the key to ending interpersonal violence,” Mills said.
She said the goal of the organization and movement is to create a community where people feel safer to talk about their experiences with interpersonal violence, and to share the resources available in State College.
“It really takes all of us and this community to prevent interpersonal violence,” Mills told the crowd.
Take Back the Night was formed in the 1970s with a goal to “end all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment, and relationship violence, and to support survivors in their healing journeys,” according to its website.
Among the crowd of students was John Ioannou, a fourth-year student who said he attended after taking a women and gender studies course, also by Bloom.
“A lot of us in our class are very happy that we’re here,” Loannou said. “ I find it interesting, and just hearing people’s stories, and being able to just be a listening ear to a mouth that needs to be heard.”
He said he hopes to learn more about the experiences of those who shared their stories at the event.
Emily Wang, a first-year student, said that she found out about the event through flyers and information posted on social media.
“I thought it’d be nice to support people who’ve gone through their experience, so that’s why I’m here,” Wang said.
She said that she was also there to support her peers that were involved in the event and possibly become involved.
“I’m hoping to look out for others who are in need or in need of support or are showing signs that they may need help,” Wang said.
Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) psychologist John Mitchell said that Take Back the Night is an event that a lot of staff “feels really strongly about.”
“I’m honoring what survivors have been through,” Mitchell said. “Well, raising awareness of consciousness, reinforcing community and supporting solidarity, bringing a lot of attention, and it never feels like enough.”
Other events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month include “In Full Voice: A Benefit Concert Honoring Survivors” at 7 p.m. Saturday in the HUB-Robeson Center, and “Honoring Survival” an event hosted by R-VOICE and Centre Safe from 3-5 p.m. April 22 in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
