鶹ѡ’s Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence and Support Services (SRVSS) is joining the national Take Back the Night event. Take Back the Night, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. in front of the MAC Center, will focus on allowing victims and survivors to come together for one night to feel empowered in a comfortable atmosphere.
SRVSS is hosting the event for victims and survivors of sexual or relationship violence and encouraging them take a stance.
Jess Lockhart, graduate assistant for SRVSS, shares the importance of Take Back the Night for students.
“The reason it takes place at night is because this will show students they can be safe on campus at any time,” Ms. Lockhart says. “This is going to be an empowering movement so students can feel comfortable.”
The event begins with participants choosing to wear a color that represents an act of violence they wish to advocate for. The colors include purple for domestic partner violence, blue for childhood sexual abuse, grey for stalking, teal for sexual assault, pink for experiencing sexual abuse due to identifying with the LGBTQ community, yellow for a confidential advocate and white for an ally.
Throughout the rest of the night, participants have the opportunity to walk through campus, experience a release ceremony and sit down at the end of the night for a speak-out session, which concludes at the SRVSS office.
The SRVSS office is located inside the Williamson House. It is a safe space located on campus where students can come as a place of support and prevention education on Kent State’s campus.
“I am hoping it’s very empowering, and I think it will have a good turnout,” Ms. Lockhart says. “We want every individual person to take back the night in their own way.”
For more information on Take Back the Night at Kent State, click here or go to .