Hundreds of women are expected to unite against sexual violence Friday night as the highlight of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The Take Back the Night March aims to empower women who have survived acts of sexual violence and allow them to voice the need to stop this type of violence.
“We need to raise awareness that there is a problem,” said Alyssa Baumann, events coordinator and The Listening Ear center coordinator. “It’s important for survivors to validate what they have been through and let them know it’s not their fault.
“They need to know they are not alone.”
The march starts at 8 p.m. at Beaumont Tower, but the day will be filled with other events.
Starting at noon, the Mid-Michigan Clothesline Project will make its way to campus. Beaumont field will be filled with T-shirts made by survivors of sexual violence.
“It’s really symbolic and touching,” Baumann said. “It will be as if they are hanging out their dirty laundry, exposing the problem and breaking the silence.”
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be an opportunity for women to speak at an open mic, sharing personal experiences on how sexual violence has affected their lives. Baumann said there will also be representatives from campus groups, including the National Organization of Women and Women’s Council, as well as The Listening Ear and Planned Parenthood.
She said the representatives will be available to answer questions and the staff from The Listening Ear will serve as a support staff in case a person needs someone to talk to.
A women-only candlelight vigil will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the garden west of Beaumont Tower.
“We only allow women to respect the boundaries and privacy of the women,” Baumann said. “It makes for a more intimate environment where women feel more comfortable.”
Also from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there will be a men’s forum in 100 Berkey Hall. Baumann said it will be an opportunity for men to hear what they can do to stop rape and how they can get involved in the sexual assault movement.
Immediately following the vigil and forum, the Take Back the Night March will start at Beaumont Tower, move through sections of campus, continue through East Lansing and end at East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbott Road.
“At a time at night when women typically would not want to be out by themselves, they will be out declaring the need for safer streets and calling for an end to sexual violence,” Baumann said. “When you see that many women moving through the streets, declaring the same message, it is really moving and powerful.”
After the march there will be a post-march rally and drum circle.
Event coordinator Tamika Payne said it is important to give assault survivors a place where they feel safe.
“We need to give space for survivors to talk about what happened and how they feel in a nonjudgmental environment,” the human biology senior said. “People can get up and talk about their experiences without feeling like it is a dirty, bad secret they shouldn’t be talking about.
“I have talked to people who said this event has changed their life.”
