Take Back the Night - A rally

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A faceless voice entered the the University Student Commons Theater as slides of influential women in the feminist, anti-domestic and sexual violence movement danced on the screen. This voice told 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 understands 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 victims, survivors, supporters, activists and advocates a place to come together, raise awareness, educate 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 domestic 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 affects people of any race, gender, disability, age, sexual identity or social class. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, one in six women and one in 33 men will 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 who 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 rally, 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-Violence Project manager, both spoke about issues within these specific communities. Victims also told their own stories later during the speak out.

"I'm glad 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 really blurred, especially with drinking. I just think you have to be really clear," Thomas said.

Funding was also addressed during the rally. Many organizations cannot to provide services because of a lack of funding. Sara Bohannon, a creative writing graduate student, and Michaels expressed their wish for VCU to put more funding into organizations like the Wellness Resource Center.

"I have met advocates who could have had interpreters available if only they got one more grant, or one more funding source, or if only they had connections in the community to get research for interpreters," Drew said. "I've met shelter managers and executive directors who want their program to be physically accessible to people with disabilities, but there's just not enough money to keep the lights on and renovate the building."

S.A.V.E.S. used the raffle to battle this issue and raise money for Hanover Safe Place, a resource agency for victims of sexual and domestic violence in Hanover County. They have also done a carnival theme fundraiser for Safe Harbor, another resource agency in Henrico County.

"Through a combination of donated items from the community and some supplies we put together, we were able to raise close to $250 for them," said Kathryn Monusky, sexual assault and domestic violence services assistant and S.A.V.E.S. treasurer.

Following the first half of the rally, attendees were invited to participate in the march around Monroe Park. Holding signs, participants marched around the center of many VCU dorms chanting the slogans of the movement.

"(The march) made me realize how silenced I feel as a woman," Bohannon said.

"Wherever we go/Whatever we wear/Yes means Yes/No means No," marchers chanted. "We have the power/We have the right/The streets are ours/Take Back the Night!"

Thomas rides her bike because she doesn't feel safe walking alone at night and said this portion of the night was empowering.

"I think it's just a really empowering feeling to be walking with a bunch of other women and just owning the streets," Thomas said.

The march led up to the culmination of the night in the Commons Theater where attendees were able to share their stories during open mic. This proved to be the emotional part of the night as tears fell around the room. Although each person had their own story to tell, and there were many similarities.

"A lot of them sounded strikingly similar to what I had gone through ... All the pain that you go through, they went through too. It's nice to share those feelings and not just have to feel them alone," Michaels said.

Suzanne Shaver, Voices for Planned Parenthood vice president and VCU social work major and women's studies minor, said S.A.V.E.S. reached their goal of making the night both fun and educational.

"It was bigger. It was more involved and it was more fun," Shaver said.

Both the event sponsors and attendees hope the event brought awareness to the community and that they can keep it in the forefront.

"I hope that students, one, realize what an epidemic it is, two, realize that the survivors of sexual assault aren't at fault for what happened to them," Michaels said.

As the night drew closer to an end the slides continued on the Theater screen. A quote from famous anthropologist Margaret Mead flashed upon the screen.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."