A 2007 Department of Justice study revealed that 20% of U.S. college women reported being a victim of sexual abuse/assault at some point in their lifetime.
The issue of sexual assault is a prevalent one in today’s society, even on the rural campus of Houghton College. Reports of sexual abuse on campus, though rare, are not unheard of. To address this issue, the annually-held, student-led event Take Back the Night will once again be held on campus from April 2 to 5. The movement will consist of a series of lectures, workshops, and other events meant to raise awareness of, and combat, sexualized violence towards women. Student coordinator Lois Leete ’15 stated, “Especially in the media, there is lots of victim blaming, which leads to silence. We want to break that silence because an issue that is not talked about cannot be remedied.”
The event is geared towards both raising awareness and encouraging those affected, both men and women, to speak out and express their own tragic experiences. As Rob Pool, president of student life, pointed out when interviewed, “We all benefit by women and men taking this topic head on and joining in the process to stop it.”
In years past, Take Back the Night comprised of mostly women both heading the event and taking part. Student organizer Amy Eckendorf, senior, recollected that last year only three male students attended events throughout the week. She referenced this statistic, stating that “Male participation would make a strong statement and I really encourage male students to actively participate in this year’s events.” Eckendorf later added that “We are trying to address this issue of years past and make it more inclusive.”
When asked why both men and women should be involved with the event, student coordinator Wynn Horton, junior, replied, “No conversation based on understanding and mutual respect will ever happen if there is only one ‘side’ represented.” Horton further said, “It is important for women AND men to join in the organization and participation of Take Back the Night. This curse is ravaging the entire human race–why shouldn’t we address it as one?” All this to say, the event organizers, volunteers, and previous participants strongly encourage all students to attend the event.
Events throughout the week consist of a variety of sources in order to cover a wide range of problems within the overarching issue of sexual assault against women. On Wednesday, April 2nd, events will start off with a film and panel discussion entitled Flirting with Danger.
The following day, Thursday April 3rd the general public may attend a variety of both seminars and workshops starting at 11 a.m. These will be lead by guest speakers including Elizabeth Gerhardt from Roberts Wesleyan College, as well as Houghton professors such as Connie Finney and students such as Katherine Tomlinson, junior, and Brittany Libby, senior.
Friday, April 4th, a free Symphonic Winds Concert with the theme of Music and Healing that is open to the public will commence at 7:30 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. Following the concert, the Speak Out and March will begin at the chapel steps. Students are strongly encouraged to come conquer the vulnerability felt in darkness or in hidden assault. This event is particularly power because as Lois states, “The march will give faces to the issue, making it less of a ‘it doesn’t happen to us’ issue.” Therefore stressing that violence occurs daily to even those we know personally.
Finally, on Saturday the 5th a Cattaraugus Community Action training seminar titled Bringing in the Bystander will take place. Concerning this event, Kristina LaCelle-Peterson, associate professor of religion, said, “For those serious about changing from being a bystander to an active agent for change, the session on Saturday morning promises to be very informative.”
Those involved in the event reiterate that it is not solely focused on women. Horton states, “One in five men will experience sexual victimization at some point in their lives, and one in six are sexually abused before they turn 18.”
As Lacelle-Peterson explained, “Ultimately, Take Back the Night seeks to embrace the victims and set them on a path toward healing, but also to equip all of us to help reduce the violence in the first place.”
