Take Back the Night hopes to advance dialogue on sexual violence
The issues of misogyny and sexual violence have become controversial topics of discussion on the USC during the last several weeks, after recent scandals plagued the Greek community.
Take Back the Night, a national event aimed at increasing awareness of sexual and domestic violence, hopes to continue this discussion in a meaningful way with tonight’s event at USC.
Booth · Ava Casados, a senior majoring in psychology and fine arts, gives a Take Back the Night flyer to Maureen Silva, an undeclared freshman. - Mindy Curtis | Daily Trojan
“We’re trying to start a conversation about the mentality and culture that is behind these types of incidents,” said Kaitlin Meek, a senior majoring in public relations and the director of public relations for Take Back the Night. “Take Back the Night is coming at a very interesting time this year. It is unfortunate that these events did happen, but it’s nothing new; this mind set has been around forever.”
The Take Back the Night Rally will be held tonight at Tommy Trojan from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and will feature performances by multiple campus organizations.
The problem of sexual violence is widespread among college campuses in America, according to Todd Henneman, assistant director of the USC Center for Women and Men.
According to a 2005 study conducted by the National Institute of Justice, one in five women in America experiences a rape during college, but less than 5 percent of attempted and completed rapes are brought to the attention of campus authorities and law enforcement.
“There are probably many other sexual assaults that have occurred that we don’t know about, so the statistics only reflect what the students have reported to the university,” Henneman said. “It is very likely that there are other students out there who have been a victim of sexual assault and have never told a university official.”
Meek said she hopes Take Back the Night will counteract this culture of silence associated with sexual and domestic violence.
“This has become such a taboo subject in our culture, even though it’s something that affects virtually everyone, either directly or indirectly,” Meek said. “There’s a lot of controversy that surrounds this issue, and a lot of times people don’t want to accept it because it’s hard for them to do so.”
Take Back the Night also hopes to get men involved in the conversation about sexual and domestic violence.
“A lot of times guys are afraid that if they talk about sexual assault, they will be seen as a perpetrator,” Henneman said. “We’re trying to get males to take a visible stance and be role models, saying ‘I’m not afraid to stand up and say this is something we don’t support.’”
Najee Ritter, a junior majoring in theatre and president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, which will be performing at Take Back the Night, said he believes men should play a more active role in voicing their views on this issue.
“Our presence [at Take Back the Night] shows that we care, we are concerned, and we vow to never engage in these harmful activities,” Ritter said. “Women need to know that we support them, that we love them and because of this, we have made a conscious decision never to hurt them.”
The push for reform across USC has been a major goal for the events associated with Take Back the Night, which Meek hopes will encourage people to start an open discussion about sexual violence.
“These conversations are finally beginning to emerge among college students, so I just hope that Take Back the Night can be seen as a symbol of hope by them,” Meek said.
Previously the administration had recommended fraternities and sororities require at least 50 percent of their members to attend the rally.
Pat Lauer, president of the USC Interfraternity Council, said the groups ultimately decided to forgo this requirement.
“Greek attendance at Take Back the Night shouldn’t be viewed as another item on a checklist for improving our image, but as a legitimate desire that we hope to instill within many of our members to become more aware of and educated about sexual violence,” Lauer said.
The Take Back the Night Rally tonight will include an opening performance by Women’s Theatre Organization, performances by USC MenCare, the Center for Women and Men, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and poet and activist Andrea Gibson. At 8 p.m. there will be a candlelight march through campus.
Ava, I love the exposed bra strap. Just plain sexy!
If students would rather attend a school where no one addresses the issues of sexual violence and misogyny that most certainly exist there, let them. I’m proud to call myself a student at an institution where this kind of dialogue is not only allowed, but encouraged. I only wish that the people who needed to hear it most would attend. Sadly, the Greek community doesn’t seem to think it’s important.
Wow, you are a jerk. Sure, some of what takes place at the rally is one sided and liberal. But what about the women who have suffered and been abused? Should these issues not be addressed?
I accept that I am a jerk. Doesn’t bother me at all. I also don’t care about hearing women’s stories about suffering and abuse. It will in no way impact my behavior or conscience, and it only causes congestion that gets in my way. So no, I don’t think that these issues should be addressed publicly. Therapists exist for a reason; if you need one, let me know. There are plenty in the area.
I am in shock that someone would write such an offensive and ignorant comment on an article about an event for which the sole purpose is to help people who are afraid to speak out about their problems/experiences. Since you think you know so much about private counselling and the effects of sexual abuse, does this mean you were abused? and you know what it feels like? ‘Cause if not, do you really have the authority to make such unjustified right-wing slander?
I am in a fraternity, and I am ashamed of the stereotypes cast upon the greek system, but those stereotypes are unfortunately justified by the shameless misogynists like you who are the bane of our society.
What a great image to show off to the prospective students and their parents who will be attending Explore USC today. Who wouldn’t want to go to a school with protests like this that purport to “advance [a] dialogue,” but really do nothing more than provide a forum for people who wrongly perceive themselves to be oppressed to express their one-sided, liberal views?
Sounds like a real party.
A desire to combat sexual violence against woman is absolutely not “liberal,” it would seem you have no understanding of what being liberal or conservative means.
To say that woman who have been SEXUALLY ASSULTED “wrongly perceive themselves to be oppressed” is absurd and is exactly the views that the rally is trying to combat.
I want to go to a school that addresses its deepest problems publicly and at least attempts to hold those responsible accountable and my guess is the majority of students that USC wants to attract in our attempt to become a world class institution, agree with me.
If you really have this little respect for for women and your fellow students, you have no place at an institution of higher learning, please leave so those of us who are interested in fostering a caring, safe environment for everyone can be successful.