Students and survivors of sexual violence had an opportunity to talk about their experiences and show support for survivors at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Coalition’s second annual “Take Back the Night” (TBTN) event at the University of Memphis University Center Lawn Thursday night.
Addie James, the director of marketing and public relations for SAPAC, said she thinks this event is important for the fight to end sexual violence.
“We are doing this event on campus because we want to give space to survivors of sexual assault and their allies because this issue has remained a silent and private one for so long,” James said. “The purpose of the event is to give space and give people a seat at the table to speak the truth.”
TBTN is an international organization and an event that aims to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence.
TBTN events began in the 1960s in Europe to protest women not being safe while walking on the street. Today, TBTN events give people a place to talk about their experiences with sexual assault and violence as well as a place to remember past and current victims sexual assault and violence. This is the second year SAPAC is hosting a TBTN event on campus.
“People have remained silent for so long because they’re worried that they won’t be believed,” James said. “By holding this event and giving people that space to outwardly say, ‘I believe you. I hear you. I see you. I believe you,’ it helps those people who are still silent to say, ‘I have someone who believes me. Even though I am not speaking up, I know that I have someone that I can count on.’”
The event started with Cherisse Scott, the founder and CEO of Sister Reach, a local organization that advocates for reproductive justice, speaking about her experience with sexual assault and offering her advice to the people attending.
“You will be healed if healing is what you seek,” Scott said.
Afterward, there was a “speak out,” where survivors and students stepped onto a stage and shared their stories of sexual assault, abuse and violence. Some students stepped onto the stage to show their support for the victims.
There was also a moment of silence and a candlelight vigil to remember people who have been affected by sexual violence and a bulletin board where people could post anonymous supportive letters to victims.
Emily Kampbell, a U of M student, said she came to the event because she heard about issues of sexual assault on campus and wanted to learn about how she could get involved.
“I think that it’s good to get together and talk more about what to do on campus about sexual assault,” Kampbell said.
Leodan Rodriguez, another U of M student, said he came out to be supportive of those who choose to speak about their experiences.
“This was a great opportunity for me to come in with an open mind to see what’s going on on campus and to see what sort of things that are being talked about,” Rodriguez said. “This is a chance for me to be a better ally and to be a better person to want to be there for those people.”
During the "speak out" portion of the event, two students listen as someone shares their story of sexual assault. Other students listened and showed support to those sharing.
Students attend "Take Back the Night," an event hosted by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Coalition. The event was originally started in United Kingdom in the 1960s.
Students gather around this stage Thursday to show their support for survivors of sexual assault. People shared their stories of sexual violence at the "Take Back the Night" event hosted by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Coalition.
Attendees lit candles and played music in support of those who came to speak about their experience with sexual assault. This was the second annual "Take Back the Night" event hosted by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Coalition.
Students, men and women, shared their support and stories to their classmates for their journey of sexual abuse. Some students embraced their classmates as some also knew what it was like to be abused by someone and be silent.
