MOLLY VANDENBERG
Staff Writer
Fredonia Feminists hosted their annual “Take Back the Night” on Oct. 18 in McEwen Hall. This is arguably one of Fred Fem’s most anticipated events of the year, where survivors of sexual assault and violence are given a place to share their stories.
With only a candle-lit table in the room, the energy in the space was tainted with sadness and anger, but there was an unspoken connection between everyone.
It was likely very emotionally draining to tell their story, but the people who chose to speak are all trying to embark on their own personal path towards healing and want others to know that they are not alone.
Sydney Flanagan, a senior women and gender studies and music industry major and former president of Fredonia Feminists, introduced the night with a little background on “Take Back the Night,” as well as some brief statistics about sexual assault.
Flanagan wanted to make it clear that while there is so much talk about statistics on this matter, this event aims to humanize this subject. At the end of the day, numbers only mean so much.
“Take Back the Night” is the earliest worldwide protest towards sexual violence against women. Stemming back as early as the ‘70s. A number of things happened during that time that sparked this movement.
The first official “Take Back the Night” was a walk in October 1975 in Philadelphia after the death of Susan Alexander Speeth, who was murdered while walking home alone. Since then, the organization has focused largely on eliminating sexual, relationship and domestic violence at thousands of college campuses, women centers and rape crisis centers. Its scope has reached over 30 million people in over 30 countries.
The Take Back the Night Foundation was formed in 2001 by women who had participated in the earliest marches.
Sexual assault is an ongoing issue on college campuses across the nation and this event reveals that Fredonia is not immune.
“Sexual violence on campus is pervasive,” according to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
Julie Bezek, counselor at LoGrasso Hall and coordinator of Fredonia’s CEASE and SAVP programs, addressed the room as well during the introductory statements. She offered information about the different counseling resources that are available to students.
The CEASE program provides support for students who are dealing with sexual assault and relationship violence. They are here to offer advice, and support as well as to help make referrals to appropriate resources if need be. Everything that they do is confidential.
STEPS, who co-sponsored the event, did a short skit about a survivor’s friends trying to help them through the immediate aftermath of their assault.
This topic is a very important issue to STEPS as well.
“Everyone in that room is willing to listen and believe survivors and that is crucial to people who have been through something that traumatic,” said Sarah Kelly, a sophomore psychology major and general body member of STEPS.
While people may have left the room feeling like some weight was finally lifted from their chests, the fight is not over.
“This event reminds us why we care so much about sexual assault activism. It reminds us of the experiences of real people and shows us a harsh, painful reality. It’s a really emotionally taxing event, but it does so much good,” said Flanagan. “It’s a safe place for people to talk, to get out emotions and memories that eat away at them, to find community and to be reminded of the love and support they have on our campus. It’s really easy to get discouraged, to blame yourself and think you’re alone and this reminds you that you aren’t.”