On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, UF’s STRIVE (Sexual Trauma and Interpersonal Violence) will present the annual Take Back the Night: A March and Rally to End Sexual Violence as part of April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month events. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Plaza of Americas, with kickoff remarks and poster-making. Afterwards, participants will march a route on campus, meeting again at Plaza of the Americas for an open microphone rally. Participants are encouraged to bring their own seating.
For more than thirty years, universities have gathered across the globe for Take Back the Night events that support and empower survivors, raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence, and give voice to their desire to end sexual violence so that no one need live in fear, either by day or by night.
Research shows that one in five college females and one in twenty males will be the victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault during their college years. At least 80 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. These statistics only serve to highlight the importance of campuses and communities continuing to come together to raise awareness about this serious issue.
“Join STRIVE as we Take Back the Night to demonstrate our support for sexual violence survivors, share our stories, and create a culture of care. The event will take place on April 6, 2016 at 6pm in the Plaza of Americas. It involves a 1-mile march around campus that ends with an open mic. We will have a keynote speaker, resources for survivors, free t-shirts, food, and amazing performers! Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/966985553378128/”
