You may not be aware of it, but you probably know someone who has been affected by sexual violence. The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) reports that every two minutes a sexual assault is reported.
How can you take action?
Take Back the Night Chattanooga is an internationally recognized event that is a visible stand against sexual violence, specifically violence against women. This event is led by three guiding goals and thoughts: heal individuals impacted by sexual violence; empower those who have been victimized; take a stand, to help shatter the silence and end the violence.
Take Back the Night will be held October 15, 6 p.m., at UTC’s University Center Auditorium. The guest speaker will be Kate Price, commercial sexual exploitation survivor, who will tell her survival story and advocate for ending sexual and other power based violence.
Recent events like the NFL’s treatment of the Ray Rice case and the social media movement #whyistayed have helped draw attention to the societal impact and harm of victim-blaming in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) according to Cassie Nice, Take Back the Night Committee Chair and Assistant Director, Women’s Center at UTC.
“It is important that we continue to have this open dialogue and understand that IPV is something that happens across socioeconomic status, race, and ethnic backgrounds, and while these more public figures have helped bring about an opportunity to educate, similar crimes are happening in our communities, on our campus, and to our loved ones. Until we reframe the societal reaction from, ‘Why didn’t the victim leave?’ to ‘Why did the abuser abuse?’ we need to have programs like Take Back the Night that let victims know what happened is never their fault,” Nice said.
A march from the Amphitheatre through the Fort Wood National Historic District will raise awareness about these issues in our community. Immediately after the march, there will be a candlelight vigil to honor victims and celebrate survivors.
Schedule of Events:
6 p.m. – Performance by local band, Bad Scout
Tabling by Campus and Community partners and sponsors
Glow-in-the-Dark Take Back the Night t-shirts! (Suggested donation, $5)
Silent Auction! (All proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to Chattanooga’s only Rape Crisis Center at the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults)
6:35 p.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
6:45 p.m. Guest Speaker, Kate Price
7:30 p.m. Walk through Fort Wood District to take a stand against sexual assault and domestic violence
8 p.m. Candlelight vigil
Hello,
I am a Program Specialist at the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. I wanted to say thank you, not only as an Advocate who has been working with victims of sexual assault for 15 years, but as a mother of a student at UTC. I am excited about your event and I know that my daughter will be attending. Again, thank you for holding this event.
Kelly