Crissie Elrick
Staff Writer
cmelrick@valdosta.edu
Valdosta State University will host “Take Back the Night” as a part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month tonight beginning at 7 p.m. on the front lawn in front of West Hall.
The Sexual Assault Committee at VSU has organized the candlelight vigil and march, which honors people who have been victims of sexual assault and rape.
The night will include a video about how sexual violence impacted one woman’s life, a survivor of sexual violence will speak to the group, and finally, songs honoring those who have been victimized by sexual assault will be played.
The march will begin on the front lawn, go to the Hugh C. Bailey Science Center and finally venture to the Palms Quad. Information on the subject will be available for those in attendance.
“Take Back the Night” began in the mid-1970s when women began to take a stand against violence against women.
Rallies including candlelit vigils, survivor testimonials and empowerment marches have been taking place ever since to bring knowledge about sexual assault and violence to everyone.
“Take Back the Night” has a unifying theme: depicting that all human beings have the right to be free from violence, the right to be heard and the right to reclaim those rights if they are violated.
For more information on the movement, visit the “Take Back the Night” web site at www.takebackthenight.org/. For more information on sexual assault or violence, call the VSU Counseling Center at (229) 333-5940.