Wednesday, October 25th, SUNY Cortland is holding a Take Back the Night march.
At 7:00 p.m. students, faculty, and staff will gather at the steps of Corey Union and begin the march.
About Take Back the Night
“Take Back The Night’s global mission as a charitable 501(c)(3) Foundation is to end all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment, and relationship violence, and to support survivors in their healing journeys.”
SHATTER THE SILENCE. STOP THE VIOLENCE.
Take Back The Night Foundation
History
Take Back the Night has been going on across the globe for five decades, the first march happening in the 70s, when incidents of violence against women in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Los Angeles caught the attention of the media.
1970’s
1972– Women at the University of Southern Florida dressed in black capes and held witches’ brooms, marching through campus to demand resources and safety for women.
1973– San Francisco citizens protested violent “snuff” pornography films.
1975– Philadelphia residents rallied after microbiologist Susan Alexander Speeth was stabbed to death on a sidewalk after work.
1976– a Tribunal Council of women from 40+ countries met in Belgium to advocate for the safety of women on the street.
1980’s
Hundreds of colleges and universities in North America began holding marches and rallies on their campuses. The Vancouver Rape Relief held Take Back The Night marches from 1980-1985.
1981-The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centers declared the third Friday of September to be the evening for Take Back The Night marches nationwide.
1989– the “Antifeminist Mass Murderer from Montreal” killed 14 women and injured 10 more, igniting protests across Canada.
1990’s
From girl rock band concerts and clanging pots and pans on marches to candlelight vigils and chapel speak-outs. Thousands of Take Back The Night Event holders took a stand within their own communities and culture and shared their stories. Activists changed policies, laws, and handbooks to ensure victims’ rights and consent-based definitions of sexual violence.
2000’s
2001– Take Back the Night Foundation was created with leadership from Katie Koestner and committed volunteers, uniting Event holders and participants. Corporations and professional sports teams began holding events to educate their employees and players. Survivors of all genders walked, marched, and shared their stories.
2010’s
Take Back The Night continued to empower more people through walks, marches, poets, musicians, artists, and activists. Free 24/7 legal support for all became possible through the 1-800-SHATTER Hotline.
2020’s
Despite COVID limitations, event holders powered ahead with online rallies and asynchronous marches. Partnerships continue to blossom as well as lasting relationships with different countries
Statistics
- 1 in 3 women worldwide experience some form of sexual violence or intimate partner violence.
- 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence.
- 2 in 3 transgender people have been sexually assaulted.
- People in the LGBTQIA+ community are more likely to experience sexual violence.
- Less than 50% of victims report these crimes.
Its On Us
The SUNY Cortland Its On Us Committee states,
“At SUNY Cortland, we expand the notion of sexual violence to include not only sexual assault, but also, intimate partner (domestic/dating) violence and stalking. The SUNY Cortland It’s On Us Action Team, comprised of students, faculty and staff members, works to annually provide a variety of programs and educational initiatives throughout the year.”
The committee encourages faculty, staff, and students to wear purple Wednesday, October 25th.
Significance and Meaning
This walk is especially meaningful because October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Students, faculty, and staff are asked to wear purple as it is the symbolic color to raise awareness about domestic violence.
March for yourself, your loved ones, or for the cause. Let’s Take Back the Night.