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TAKE BACK THEN GHT GOOSGBACF ff IffYflO A faceless voice entered the the University Student Commons Theater as slides of influential women in the feminist, anti-domesti c and sexual violence movement danced on the screen. This voice to ld the story of a woman who had been hurt, violated, and victimized. It is the story of many women, children and men who have been raped and sexually assaulted. The rally was hosted by VCU student organizations Sexual Assault and domestic Violence Education by Students and Men Against Violence, as well as the VCU Wellness Resource Center in promotion of April being sexual assault awareness month. The Take Back the Night program stated the event was "a community and campus event to reclaim our streets from the threat of intimate partner violence and sexual assault." About 200 people listened as victims and survivors, anonymous and not, shared their stories. They gathered for the "victim speak out" that concluded the annual Take Back the Night rally. "We just created a safe space tonight with a bunch of people that aren't going to judge you and that are really going to embrace you. I think that's totally awesome," said Ruby Michaels, a VCU political science major whose name has been changed to protect her identity. "I think it's always important for individuals to share their experience. I think that 's central for a lot of peoples' healing process." Michaels said she underst ands the necessity for acceptance in these situations. After coming out about an abusive partner she was ostracized by mutual friends of theirs. Pressured to tell her story, she now worries if people know the "very specific, graphic details about what happened to me."
Shayne Thomas, a VCU women's studies graduate, said people are silent too much. The Take Back the Night event gives vict ims, survivors, supporters, activists and advocates a place to come together, raise awareness, educat e and fight domestic violence and sexual assault. "There's a lot of students and people that are really devoted to making it better ... educating more people," Thomas said.
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S.A.V.E.S. received help from one community group, three domesti c violence resource agencies, six Greek organizations and three other student organizations. Together they put together a room filled with information tables, raffle tables, Clothesline Project shirts, food, takeaway items and a table to pledge against and to prevent violence. Attendees heard speakers from the Richmond YWCA, Virginia Anti-Violence Project and the two student organization hosts: S.A.V.E.S. and M.A.V. The speakers educated attendees on the history of the movement, the men involved, expanding the movement and how to support a survivor. They also helped to dismantle the many myths and stereotypes about sexual assault. "It doesn't have a specific look," said Jenny Walters, creative director of S.A.V.E.S. Sexual assault happens when a person is forced, coerced or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity. It affect s people of any race, gender, disability, age, sexual identity or social class. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest
Nat ional Network, one in six women and one in 33 men w ill be assaulted. "Most women have had experienced or been in situations where they weren't necessarily comfortable and things happened," Thomas said. "It's crazy the amount of friends that I have that have been through the same things and it makes you so, so mad and sad." RAINN reported that approximately 73 percent of rape victims know their assailants. Most of the victims w ho told their story had been assaulted by an intimate partner, family member or friend, dispelling the "man in the bushes" theory about rapists. During the first half of the ra lly, attendees also heard from those sometimes forgotten about by the public; the men and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning community. Jonathan Yglesias, M.A.V.'s vice president, and Quillen Drew, Equality Virginia's Virginia Anti-Vio lence Project manager, both spoke about issues within these specific communities. Victims also told their own stories later during the speak out. "I'm g lad that men are getting involved ... because they're definitely a part of this. They definitely have the ability to reach out to all the other men in a way that I don't think women are always able to," Thomas said. "It was good that people talked about it in the queer community because I think a lot of people don't think about that happening.'' Thomas said consent needs to be discussed more, and that al king about consent is a really important issue that can help to prevent potential assaults. "Asking, 'Can I have sex with you?' and making sure you get a yes. Sometimes the lines are rea lly blurred, especially with drinking. I just think you have to be really clear," Thomas said. Photos courtesy of Kathryn MonuskY
