The Office of Student Activities and the Panhellenic Council will host Take Back the Night, an event to eliminate and raise awareness for sexual and domestic violence, on Oct. 28 from 8 to 10 p.m. at the NSU Flight Deck Pub’s backyard.
Graduate Assistant for Special Events & Projects Lorena Cabrera said domestic violence is prevalent in our community, so it’s important for NSU to take a stand and set an example.
“Take Back the Night allows attendees to serve as a voice for those who are too afraid to use their own,” she said.
Take Back the Night raises awareness of sexual assault and takes place at campuses across the country.
“It’s a time for them to release the negativity impacting their life. Ultimately, take back the night that hurt you and get yourself back – forever,” Cabrera said.
Angelica Brodeur, prevention specialist for Women in Distress, a nationally accredited full service domestic violence center, said the center is helping to bring a survivor of domestic violence to speak at Take Back the Night.
“It can happen to anyone and we just want everyone to be aware of it,” Brodeur said. “The reality is that 73 percent of rapists are usually someone that the person knows. With events like this, we want to empower everyone with knowledge and options.”
Vice President of Judicial of the Panhellenic Council Belen Perez, junior environmental sciences major, agreed.
“The NSU population needs to join together and understand how common domestic violence and sexual abuse are,” Perez said. “Since we are on a college campus, there are more victims of these crimes than we think. Take back the night will empower those who have experienced domestic violence, and educate others who have not.”
More than 100 people are expected to attend. The event will include free food, activities, survivor stories and a candle light vigil. The night will begin with a special guest from Women in Distress who will tell her story. There will also be a speak-out session to give others an opportunity to share their personal stories.
“There will be counselors from the residence halls and Henderson Counseling Center to help those who speak out,” Cabrera said.
During the event, a banner will be hung for the These Hands Aren’t for Hurting Project.
“Attendees can leave their hand prints on the banner as a pledge to not use their hands for hurting others and make known that they will not take part in domestic violence or sexual abuse,” Cabrera said.
The candle light vigil will take place at the end of the event in remembrance of those who lost their battle to domestic violence.
“We will have a moment of silence and take a lap around the Alvin Sherman Library quad,” Cabrera said.
Leading up to the event, on Oct. 20 to 24 from noon to 1 p.m., tables will be set up in the Don Taft University Center for the Secret Wall Project.
“At these tables, NSU community members will be able to write down their personal stories on cards and slip them into our ‘box of secrets,’” Cabrera said. “Throughout the Take Back the Night event, attendees can read the personal and anonymous stories that have been written on the cards and displayed around the cabanas.”
Cabrera has been to three Take Back the Night events and found the event to be extremely powerful and emotional.
“Every time I’ve attended, I left with a feeling of relief, knowing that people decided to speak out – for most of them, it’s the first time ever,” she said.
Cabrera said the event has a personal feel.
“It’s a time for people to get things off their chest and finally start feeling like themselves again. I’ve realized that more people are willing to do something about their situation after an event like this,” she said. “NSU sets an example for those who’ve gone through sexual abuse to take a stand and say ‘This is not something we support and we have resources for those dealing with domestic violence.'”
Perez said students should attend Take Back the Night because both women and men have experienced domestic violence and it’s important to show these individuals that they are not alone.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets.
For more information, contact Cabrera at lorecabr@nova.edu or call 954-262-7494.
