search
Donate

This year’s ‘Take Back the Night’ event in Athens honors the voices of sexual assault survivors

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to

ATHENS Ohio (WOUB) — Survivors of sexual assault carry their stories are often silenced and ignored. On Thursday night, the “Take Back the Night” event made sure those voices were heard and honored.

A crowd marches with signs in support of survivors of sexual violence.
A crowd marches with signs in support of survivors of sexual violence during the “Take Back the Night” event in Athens. [Anna Dollenmeyer | WOUB]
Ohio University hosted its annual “Take Back the Night’ event, which gave survivors a chance to speak up about their experiences without fear or shame. This event featured guest speakers, performances and a march around campus to raise awareness of sexual violence.

Organizers emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces where survivors feel empowered to speak out.

“We want to know that we are here to support them, and it’s really powerful for survivors to tell their stories, which is happening tonight,” said Eileen Marsal Koch, director of Ohio University’s Survivor Advocacy Program.

Ann Brandon, associate director for prevention and education at Ohio University’s Health Promotion office, spoke about the scope of sexual violence on college campuses.

“One out of five students are going to get harmed on a college campus by some type of violence,” Brandon said. “By sexual violence, by stalking, by domestic violence, intimate partner violence.”

Koch said that’s why this event is so important.

“Take Back the Night is about reclaiming your voice and finding community,” Koch said. “That sense of solidarity can be life-changing.”

The event included artistic performances, including a dance routine meant to visually represent the emotional journey many survivors face. Through movement, dancers expressed what words sometimes can’t—pain, strength and, above all, hope.

Ohio University offers support for students affected by sexual violence through its Survivor Advocacy Program, which provides confidential resources, crisis support and advocacy. My Sister’s Place, a domestic violence shelter in Athens, provides shelter, counseling and legal advocacy services to survivors in the area.

For more information about support services, visit www.ohio.edu/survivor or www.mspathens.org