Help 'Take Back the Night' and end sexual violence
Released: November 07, 2007
Every two-and-a-half minutes somewhere in America someone is sexually assaulted. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network also found that one in six American women are victims of sexual assault and one in four college women are victims of rape or attempted rape.
In order to better educate the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater community about sexual violence, Students Against Sexual Violence (SASV) and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) will host "Take Back the Night" on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in Esker 118.
"It's a night to provide information, statistics and learn more about sexual assault," Brooke Kinsley, president of SASV, said. There will be time for people who have experienced sexual assault firsthand to speak about their experiences, along with a portion for people with friends and family who have been sexually assaulted to speak about their experience and how they have been affected through secondhand stories.
"We want to provide the safest environment possible for people to come. We want people to feel safe to come and talk," Kinsley said. Information will also be shared about local support agencies.
Danielle Garson, a representative from the Association for the Prevention of Family Violence (APFV) will speak about her experiences both at APFV and as a student at UW-Whitewater.
APFV conducts a women's support group every Wednesday for victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The group meets from 3-4 pm in the second floor Rocker Room of the University Health and Counseling Services center. APFV also offers individual counseling to victims and survivors.
"We want people to know how much sexual assault really does happen. You might see or hear things on the news, but you're not getting the reality. People need to know the facts," Kinsley added.
Also planned for the evening is a candlelight walk to Jitters.
- Abby Clark,clarkae12@uww.edu
