Athens Local Issues: Take Back The Night

During their college career, according to one widely reported statistic, about one in every six women will fall victim to violent rape or its attempt. Take Back the Night Week is an event put together by the women's affairs commission of Student Senate. Take Back the Night originated in Philadelphia in October of 1975. The week began April 18 and centers on a series of speakers and performers who helped to spread the message of female empowerment. Many students shared their stories of abuse with the crowd which significantly added to the importance of the event. Each year about 95 percent of instances of sexual violence go unreported, and every year about two to four million women are battered in the United States, and 30 percent of college-aged women are in violent relationships.

From College Green to the bottom of Morton Hill, the women marched on in silence with lit candles in honor of women who have been victims of violence or sexual abuse. Organizers of the event encourage men to participate in secondary roles such as standing along the route of the walk to show support. Although there has been much controversy over whether or not to let men join in the march no decision has been made. Still though hundreds of female supporters came out to march and show support for those that have been hurt by sexual violence and the event was widely successful in spreading awareness and prevention of rape and other sexual abuses against women.

-Michael, Morgan, Kathy, Jeffrey