Graphic by Emily Stephens
By Aidan McGuire, News Editor
Being able to walk alone at night without fear of harm or harassment is a privilege many women don’t enjoy.
On Wednesday evening, to mark the end of Women’s History Month, the Moraine community is invited to come out for a Take Back the Night rally and walk. The event will begin with a resource fair and speakers at 6 p.m. in the M building, followed by the walk around campus.
The rally aims to spread awareness of sexual and relationship violence in hopes of creating a safe and inclusive environment. The event is a collaboration between the Counseling and Career Development Center and the Celebrating Diversity Committee.
“Take Back the Night Rally is significant because it motivates our campus community to come together to learn more about sexual assault and the pervasive ways that sexual violence impacts people and communities at large,” said event coordinator and MV counselor Souzan Naser.
“An event like this gives our campus community an opportunity to take a stand on sexual assault and learn about the different ways individuals can get involved.”
Beginning at 6 p.m., the Take Back the Night Rally will feature a resource fair from local organizations and Moraine departments. MV student and speech team member Lydia Garcia will give a talk on sexual violence in the military. A survivor of sexual assault will also speak.
At 6:30 the walk itself will begin. Walkers are encouraged to bring posters they have made to help spread awareness. Joining together as a community, the primary goal is helping students feel safe and heard throughout campus.
The Take Back the Night Rally is no stranger to the MV campus, being held two times in recent years. The rally represents an ongoing effort from MV and the Counseling and Career Development Center to hold events fostering awareness around sexual violence.
These activities “have given us the opportunity to come together and learn about the root causes of sexual violence, and the services we offer to support survivors,” said Naser. “Change doesn’t come easy, but if we collectively make a choice to get involved, make some noise, inevitably we will notice a shift in people’s attitudes and understanding of sexual and relationship violence.”
