Take Back the Night an important tradition
Yesterday night a 22-year tradition continued. Countless Northwestern students, faculty and staff gathered at the Rock for Take Back the Night, a rally and march against sexual assault, followed by an open-mic speak-out at Dittmar gallery in Norris. Your fellow Northwestern students shared their personal experiences with rape and assault, and then marched through campus to show support for these survivors and to foster an environment that refuses to accept sexual assault and violence.
Would anyone hesitate to say they are against sexual violence? We all have basic standards of right and wrong, we've all seen after-school specials, and we've all read countless Daily articles about campus safety. Most NU students know that sexual assault exists in our community; however, few of us realize how directly it affects our community. No one wants to believe that their mother, their sister, or their best friend could be raped. But the harsh reality is that rape affects NU students every day. When most of us think about rape, most of us picture a scary man leaping out of a bush or lurking in a dark alley to attack an unsuspecting female.
We take self-defense classes and buy pepper spray in an effort to prevent attacks. Though these things may help protect us from being mugged or robbed, rape rarely comes in this thought of form. According to the Department of Justice, 84 percent of rapes involve someone the survivor knows. As last night's speakers will confirm, NU women have been attacked and assaulted by their partners and their trusted friends. Our point is not to vilify men, or make female students uncomfortable about spending time alone with males. Instead, we want Take Back the Night to give a voice to rape survivors who live down the hall from you, who sit next to you in Norris, who take notes in lecture behind you.
The few student speakers represented the hundreds of women on this campus who suffer in silence and alone. We organize this event to break the silence and create unity. At Take Back the Night, you see that rape affects everyone, regardless of appearance, age, or attitude.
By the end of college, 1 in 4 women will have been sexually assaulted. 1 in 4. Think about that number - when was the last time you were in a room with four women? When you realize that this "one" could be your best friend, your roommate or you, it's easy to feel helpless. After all, what can you do in the face of such a pervasive social problem?
Social change occurs through awareness and action. By merely attending Take Back the Night, students openly acknowledged that sexual assault happens, and it happens here, beginning the process of education and prevention that eventually leads to policy change, to laws and to social standards. You begin to open the lines of communication.
That may not sound like much, but by discussing rape, you remove the shame and stigma from those who have been raped. And when rape survivors can tell their stories without fear and shame, you facilitate discussion and thereby help empower survivors. You have the opportunity to take action-your support comforts those who are ready to tell their story, and empowers those who have yet to voice their experiences. We thank those that attended Take Back the Night last night and encourage those who didn't to get involved.
- Kimberly Orozco
Weinberg junior
Take Back the Night Co-chair
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