'Take Back' unites to remember

Bloomington area residents will unite tonight to "Take Back the Night" for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.\n"Take Back the Night," an annual worldwide event, seeks to raise awareness of the problem of violence against women in the community and remember those who have suffered. Nearly 17 percent of college women will be the victims of sexual assault, and of those, 90 percent will know their attacker, according to a press release.\nTonight's event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a candlelight vigil at Dunn Meadow, followed by a vocal protest march to the Monroe County Courthouse for a speak-out, where participants will have a chance to talk about experiences with violence and how to overcome its lasting emotional consequences.\nJimmanee Spears, known as the "chant queen," will lead the march as she has for the past four years. As the event's speak-out mediator, she said she appreciates those women in attendance who relive painful memories.\n"Emotionally, I'm gearing myself up for issues of being a rape survivor brought back to forefront," Spears said. "And to be an emotional support to women who are telling stories for the first time."\nEven with somber and overwhelming emotions sparked by "Take Back the Night," the mood is overwhelmingly positive, with women joining together and reclaiming an area of life that can be dangerous and threatening, Spears said.\n"These are incredible women with incredible stories," she said. "They come to me and tell me, 'This is the first time I have ever told this story, and thank God for 'Take Back the Night' because I have never felt like I had a voice before.'"\nOther participants are stunned by the level of violence in their community, which is a problem, said event chair Julie Thomas. As a volunteer at Middle Way House, a rape and abuse center, she sees the impact on the Bloomington community, she said.\n"We haven't seen a decrease in violence and sexual assault, so we want to reach more people campus and citywide," Thomas said.\nMost Bloomington residents do not realize a problem even exists or the difficulty women face in prosecuting their abusers, said Amanda Stevens, an event organizer and Feminist Leadership Alliance member.\n"When I started activities in the women's movement in town I was surprised when I found out how many sexual assaults occur here," Stevens said.\nTo reach more people, the organization committee increased its advertising, posting fliers in buses, restaurants, business, dorms and on kiosks, Megan Miller, president of the Women's Student Association, said. Miller also cited the Clothesline Project for its role in increasing awareness. Victims of violence have painted their stories on t-shirts displayed at Dunn Meadow, which are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Middle Way House, Miller said.