The Sam Houston State University Sexual Assault Awareness Month committee hosted the grand finale event, Take Back the Night, on April 25.
Take Back the Night started in the Lowman Student Center theater, in which various speakers such as representatives from the Counseling Center, Title IX Office, University Police Department and SAAFE House, spoke about the resources on campus available to SHSU students who have been victims of sexual assault. Alumni Kimberly Dyan also spoke to offer her personal experience with sexual assault.
Following the speakers, the participants were led on a march around campus that ended at Austin Hall.
“This year’s march serves the purpose of showing attendees where their resources are located should they find themselves, or their peers, victims of sexual violence,” Chair of SAAM planning committee Kennedy Lundberg said.
Historically, the march has been a way of empowering survivors, by ‘taking back the night’ and taking the power away from the predators.
“SHSU’s Take Back the Night event stems from the national chapter, which started mainly to bring awareness to the issue of violence against women,” Lundberg said. “However, throughout the years many universities have adopted the march during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Take Back the Night events are unique to the University or organization that hosts them, but SHSU has always kept the marching aspect alive to symbolize survivors’ ongoing battle against sexual violence on college campuses.”
This event serves as an opportunity for students to support their peers and get in touch with representatives from key resources across community.
“Students should attend the event to show solidarity in support of sexual assault survivors and any other victims of sexual violence,” Lundberg said. “The event will educate attendees about the options offered to sexual assault survivors and empower victims from across campus.”
The events concluded with the mayor’s proclamation.