Students Take Back the Night and take up a voice

Take Back the Night started in 1976 with a group of women in Belgium who decided that, for one night, they would actively avoid abuse and violence.

They marched to protest violence and offer support to each other. This movement has spread all around the world, and appeared this week at JCU.

Students from Jen McWeeny’s class “Love and Sex: Ethics, Intimate Violence and Activism,” put on Take Back the Night week, an active and educational week for JCU students.

Though the Sociology Club has put on the event for the past four years, McWeeny saw this event as an opportunity for her students to get involved.

“After learning about all of these issues, it’s nice to let the students do something about it,” said McWeeny.

When McWeeny came to JCU four years ago, she did not feel there were enough resources to help the victims of sexual assault. 

Wanting to do more, she decided to have her students help in the planning and execution of the Take Back the Night week.  This project constitutes 30 percent of a student’s grade.

Senior Mary Cassidy is a member of the speaker committee for the week.

“This class has really raised my awareness about a lot of things I wouldn’t think about,” said Cassidy. “And now I have a unique opportunity to do something about it.”

Senior Mary Baglieri, one of the public relations coordinator, said she is more likely to protest things she feels strongly about in the future.

“I’ve learned that the three most important things are communication, organization and the willingness to do what it takes,” Baglieri said.

On Monday, Kelly Addington and Rebecca Tieder presented “Let’s Talk About It” in the Kulas Auditorium. 

Addington and Tieder explained how to help someone who has been a victim of assault.

On Tuesday, two JCU groups gave presentations.  The “1-in-4” group is tailored to males and discusses how they can prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.  “Every Two Minutes” is aimed at women and educates them on how to avoid being a victim.

On Wednesday, a free self-defense class, taught by a martial artist, was held in the gym. 

Thursday is considered the culmination of the week.  The events begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Keller Commons, with free food and performances by the Sigma Phi Epsilon band and Rhapsody Blue. 

Multiple programs from around the area, such as the Rape Crisis Center, will be present to provide information. 

From there, students gather and march around campus to protest violence.  The march will pause occasionally as students share prayers, poems or stories about overcoming violent experiences.

There will  also be a “speak-out” where anyone can stand and tell the community their story, thoughts or prayers. 

Thursday night also kicks off the National Day of Silence, to raise awareness for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and the silence they face due to harassment, discrimination and prejudice. 

Each participant will be given a card to show others who ask why they are not talking for the 24 hour period.

Money raised will go to the Cuyahoga County Sexual Assault Response Team, a network of organizations in the County that responds to sexual assaults and helps survivors.