Take back the night event draws huge crowds during the Katy Benoit campus safety month.
Take back the night is an event to bring awareness to interpersonal violence on campus and to be able to show support to those on campus that are affected by it. The event is hosted by UI’s women’s center and other partners among the university.
Mairin Jameson spoke at the event and shared her story of her assault in 2013 by Jahrie Level.
“Over that winter and spring, I had multiple interactions with a football player on campus,” Jameson. “He was very aggressive and intimidating toward me. And made multiple sexual harassment attempts toward me.”
Jameson recounted what happened to her and what she did to find justice.
“I made it very clear that I felt unsafe on campus and that I did not want him on campus,” Jameson said. “It is very hard to avoid somebody at the Kibbie dome. You’ll see them every day.”
Jameson met with the athletic director, Rob Spear, and the football coach at the time. During her meeting with Spear and the football coach, Jameson was asked what happened during her assault, what she was wearing, what she drank, and to consider the Level’s upbringing compared to hers.
“I was told that everybody deserves a second chance,” Jameson said. “Finally, I was told that there was nothing that they could do because my assault happened off-campus and it was his word versus mine.”
The state board of education fired spears in 2018 for responding inadequately to two reports of sexual misconduct filed by two female athletes, as well as Jameson’s report.
“I left that meeting feeling utterly defeated. I thought that was all that could be done,” Jameson said. “I shared my story and was told that there was nothing that they could do.”
Jameson spoke about the UI’s women’s center that helped her get her story out.
“I again told a recount of my story, but for the first time since I was assaulted, I was finally heard,” Jameson said. “I was able to file a complaint, and they opened an investigation against him.”
In 2018, Jameson posted her story about her experience when 156 women, including Simone Biles, stood up against Larry Nasar. As a former gymnast, it gave me the courage to share my story, said Jameson.
ASUI passed a resolution and a student-run petition calling for the removal of Spear when Jameson shared her story.
“I was blown away. I never thought in a million years did I see that coming into fruition as a part of me sharing my story,” Jameson said. “You said change happens because of the student body, the students on this campus took matters into their own hands, and they created positive change because of what happened to me.”
After finishing her speech, the crowd held a silent march. The march would blow a whistle every two minutes to signify a woman being raped in America.
The march walked past the memorial of Katy Benoit, where members of Alpha Gamma Delta stood in a silent vigil.
“The event is extremely important to us. Katy Benoit is very special to us, she embodies a lot of the qualities that our chapter represents.” Julia Vanis said. “It is super important for us to continue representing the person that she was Through this event.”
Alpha Gamma Delta set up their vigil at six and continued till nine that night. As the march passed by, Vanis spoke on the big crowd that walked by.
“It is incredibly meaningful. We’ve had different events to honor Katy Benoit over the years,” Vanis said. “This year is important as she passed 10 years ago. Just seeing that massive support from the community is a beautiful thing.”
Daniel V. Ramirez can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @DVR_Tweets