Spring Break
Take Back the Night ro raise awareness on sexual assault
Thursday night event will have candlelight vigil, community rally, 'speak-out' session
Katy Weaver and Michelle Suffin
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News
One in four women and one in 10 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
On Thursday, April 10, OSU will hold its annual Take Back the Night event to raise awareness about sexual assault.
"Take Back the Night has a different meaning for every person; there isn't one specific meaning behind it. For some people, it represents the night they were assaulted or almost assaulted, or when a friend of theirs was assaulted," said Anne Falla, a member of the group "Every 1."
Other people attend the event simply because they feel strongly about what it stands for.
The event will start at 7:30 p.m. in the MU Quad with a rally, followed by performances from Divine and Outspoken and a speaker.
The speaker will kick off the actual march, which will involve a candlelight vigil.
"Everyone will have a candle, and we will march through the community of Corvallis, around campus and finally end at the Women's Center," said Amanda Meeker, a junior in pre-pharmacy and a health and wellness coordinator who is putting on the event. "Following the march will be a speak-out, where students and community members can say whatever they feel and react however they want to. A lot of emotions come out."
During this "speak-out" session, organizations such as the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence and Students Against Sexual Assault will be available for students if they need someone to talk to.
Anyone can attend the event, although usually most of the participants are women who have been sexually assaulted or know someone who has been assaulted.
"The march is open to anyone and everyone male and female - we would never turn anyone away," Falla said. She has been attending Sexual Assault Awareness monthly meetings.
"I am going because I really don't like the stereotyping of women as the 'victim,' especially when they are blamed for [sexual assault]," said Ryan Mann, the ASOSU director of state affairs and a junior in political science.
On Thursday, April 10, OSU will hold its annual Take Back the Night event to raise awareness about sexual assault.
"Take Back the Night has a different meaning for every person; there isn't one specific meaning behind it. For some people, it represents the night they were assaulted or almost assaulted, or when a friend of theirs was assaulted," said Anne Falla, a member of the group "Every 1."
Other people attend the event simply because they feel strongly about what it stands for.
The event will start at 7:30 p.m. in the MU Quad with a rally, followed by performances from Divine and Outspoken and a speaker.
The speaker will kick off the actual march, which will involve a candlelight vigil.
"Everyone will have a candle, and we will march through the community of Corvallis, around campus and finally end at the Women's Center," said Amanda Meeker, a junior in pre-pharmacy and a health and wellness coordinator who is putting on the event. "Following the march will be a speak-out, where students and community members can say whatever they feel and react however they want to. A lot of emotions come out."
During this "speak-out" session, organizations such as the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence and Students Against Sexual Assault will be available for students if they need someone to talk to.
Anyone can attend the event, although usually most of the participants are women who have been sexually assaulted or know someone who has been assaulted.
"The march is open to anyone and everyone male and female - we would never turn anyone away," Falla said. She has been attending Sexual Assault Awareness monthly meetings.
"I am going because I really don't like the stereotyping of women as the 'victim,' especially when they are blamed for [sexual assault]," said Ryan Mann, the ASOSU director of state affairs and a junior in political science.
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