“Women unite! Take back the night! What do we want? Safe streets! When do we want it? Now!”
These powerful words echoed through the campus last Monday night. Several hundred women, men and children rallied for the fight against violence.
The theme for the “Take Back the Night” rally and march was “Silence is the voice of complicity.”
The program was to promote ZERO tolerance of violence against women.
“Take Back the Night” started in Europe about thirty years ago. Women at the International Tribunal walked together, protesting violence. They believed like many, that women were at risk, especially at night.
When I entered the Culp Center Auditorium, there was a bustle of people eager to begin.
“The rally is an empowerment march, to show that there is prevalence,” said Joy Steadman, who was passing out programs to the meeting.
“It’s a good way to educate the campus, creating community between those who have been through sexual assault,” said Elaine Brown, currently an ETSU student.
Her experience at last year’s “Take Back the Night” influenced her to attend again.
“I attended last year, it’s very important to me,” said Kelly Andrews, ETSU assistant athletics director. “It means to take a stand against violence.
“It’s a very powerful night.”
The meeting began with a list of statistics that sent a chill through the audience. This is America, and women are not safe:
1. One million women are sexually assaulted every year in this country. One-third of those females are under the age of 11.
2. Half of the women attending college have been sexually abused.
3. Half of the women who go to the Emergency Room have been abused by their partner.
4. Every 15 seconds, a woman is beaten.
5. Every 15 minutes, a woman is raped.
6. One in four women have been sexually abused.
7. Two million women are punched, kicked, strangled and/or beaten by their partners every year.
Speeches and poetry were read, and even a personal testimony was given.
But, stopping violence is not just a woman’s issue. Jamie Smith, a pre-med student, read a speech justifying that not all men are violent.
“This rally has helped open me up to what’s going on,” he said. “You need to respect women.
“I hope my message reaches at least more than one person.”
Others were impressed at the emotion of the event.
“Overpowering! I was covering this story for `The Washboard’ and I stopped writing,” said John Myrick, who was in awe with the intensity of the speeches.
Violence against women is the most rapidly growing crime in America. Tennessee does not offer the proper facilities for rape victims to attend.
The question is “Why isn’t more being done to stop this violence?” especially since there are more unreported crimes of rape and abuse on college campuses and in homes.
Without places for a victim to go, she’ll remain silent.
After the meeting, people of all races and religions gathered outside. Posters and banners were waved high and clear.
That night, people gathered with empowering unity.

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