Light in the darkness

Cold and rainy weather were enough to make it hard to go out in the night, but it wasn't enough to stop a large group of women and men to make their message heard. That message was "Old, young, black, white, everyone take back the night!"\nWednesday night marked the annual Take Back the Night rally and march. The event was held to raise awareness of violence against women, both sexual and domestic in nature. A number of campus and community organizations were responsible for holding the event, including the Women's Student Association, Feminist Majority Alliance, Office of Women's Affairs, Middle Way House and a number of greek and residential groups. Senior Madeline Leung said the goal of the event was to unite the community against violence toward women, educate people on how to stop it and provide support for victims and their loved ones.\n"Sexual violence is pervasive and it happens on campus," Leung said. "It's not often that events are done to end it."\nThe event started in Dunn Meadow at 6:30 p.m. with a short performance by a capella group Ladies First, who sang songs of empowerment, including "Hero" by Mariah Carey and "Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson. \nAfter a short greeting and history of the event, which started in Germany 30 years ago, students lit candles to represent individuals who have been victims of rape or abusive relationships. A light drizzle eventually put out all the flames. \nToby Strout of Middle Way House, a refuge for abused women, gave a speech detailing statistics of women and violence. She then gave suggestions for action, including voting, volunteering and donating to the Rape Crisis Fund.\n"One third of American women are abused by a husband, boyfriend or intimate partner," Strout said. "Whatever you can do, do it not just for the victims, and not just for women. Do it for all of us."\nCarol McCord from the Office of Women's Affairs then thanked the crowd for braving bad weather to be at the event, and advised everyone to hold administrators accountable for the safety and education of students. By the end of the speeches, a sizeable crowd had gathered, including both men and women, college students and community members, and even a few canine companions.\nAt 7:15 p.m., the group formed a line behind women carrying banners and marched out of Dunn Meadow and along Seventh Street. Organizers provided cards with chants. \nThe crowd was hesitant at first, but became louder and more confident as the march continued. At Woodburn Hall, the men separated from the group for a special workshop. \nThe women continued on past the Arboretum, where some Sigma Nu fraternity members were making loud noises directed toward the march. \n"That just made us yell even louder," Junior Darice Barr said. \nThe march continued along 10th Street and down Jordan Avenue. When they turned onto the road beside the Musical Arts Center, the women stayed silent out of respect for victims of sexual violence. When they came to Showalter Fountain, the chants started again, echoing off the buildings.\n"Stop the violence! End the silence!" they shouted.\nThe women then stopped at the fountain and had a speak-out where victims and survivors could tell their stories. More than a few people in attendance were teary by the end of the program.\nMeanwhile, the men held a workshop at Woodburn Hall lead by Nigel Pizzini, academic adviser and coordinator of student programs for the Honors College. \nThe group watched a movie about American culture encouraging men to use anger and aggression to deal with problems, and then discussed options for changing this way of thinking. Senior Ben Barone said that the organizers wanted to expand the role of men in this year's event.\n"Most programs about violence against women are directed towards women," Barone said. "We wanted this workshop because men don't get a lot of education about rape and how to prevent it."\nAt the end of the evening, the men and women gathered together in the foyer of Woodburn Hall for drinks and snacks. Many were energized by the experience, while others quietly huddled in corners. The event was over for the year, but participants left with a renewed commitment of giving a voice to those who need it.\n"I hope people get a better understanding from this and be willing to listen to their friends if something happens to them," junior Mandy Crandell said.\n-- Contact staff writer Jorie Slodki at jslodki@indiana.edu.