Posted: April 14, 2008
College Newspaper: Spectator

Women’s History Month may be over, but that doesn’t mean the fight against violence is over.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Although a few events such as the “The Vagina Monologues” and “Jeans for Justice” already happened, there are still a few events that you can take part in.

Today, April 10th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be several “Let’s Talk About It” informational booths located in areas around campus. Some of the locations include Palm’s Quad, Pedestrian
Walkway, front lawn of West Hall, University Center, Education Building and the J. Harley Business School.

Educational information about rape, sexual assault and protecting yourself will be available to students along with different safety supplies such as whistles and flashlights.

The booths are sponsored by the VSU Counseling Center. On April 18th at 8 p.m. on the front lawn, VSU fights back with “Take Back the Night,” in effort to raise awareness against sexual
and domestic violence and to help women embrace the power of sharing their own stories.

“Take Back the Night’s” first rally started in the early 1970’s in Germany, but according to the event’s official website, it’s roots go all the way back to 1877 in London, England.

Different “Take Back the Night” marches have been held in the United States since the late 1970’s.

The march begins in front of West Hall with a speaker who was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. The march will then move to Odum Library where a film about date rape will be shown.

After the movie, there will be a march from the library through the Clothesline Project along the
Pedestrian Walkway which will lead to the final speaker, a survivor of a date rape.

“Take Back the Night” is being sponsored by multiple departments and agencies on
campus and throughout the community.