As the sun set on Thursday, students gathered on the Tower Lawn for the annual Take Back the Night rally and march. This rally, which was put on by the Women’s Center among other organizers, was a part of the ongoing national effort to end sexual violence on college campuses. It allowed UI students to support the survivors of sexual assault on campus, as well as honor and remember victims who did not survive.
Take Back the Night is a worldwide movement that began in the 1970’s and has continually worked to stand up against interpersonal violence of all types. UI’s campus saw a large turnout of students showing their support and solidarity for sexual violence survivors while fighting for a safer campus for everyone.
The event began with a lineup of speakers consisting of several students and faculty members sharing their thoughts and impactful messages. Abbey Rode, the ASUI Director of Health Safety and Wellness, urged everyone on campus to be proactive towards preventing violence and abuse.
“…we should take this fear and let it inspire change, we can inspire this change by continuing to do what we are all doing tonight, advocating for a safer campus community,” she said.
Following this call to action was an address by Mairin Jameson, the event’s keynote speaker and a UI alumni. Jameson is a survivor of sexual assault, having had this experience while she was a student athlete at UI. Her speech adressed how she fought back against those who tried to undermine her abuse, and how she refused to stop fighting until her attacker had faced the consequences of his actions and she could once again feel safe on campus.
She then explained how through the support of campus resources, and the brave women who broke their silence against their abusers via the #MeToo movement, she was able to summon the courage to speak up and share her story with the world. Through her testimony, the participating students in attendance noticed the powerful effects of speaking up against abusers, and how one person’s courage can inspire positive change.
After the speakers had finished their testimonies of resilience and strength, there was a candlelit march around campus in support and remembrance of interpersonal violence victims. Students and faculty took up candles and posters and began the walk throughout campus.
Out of respect for victims and survivors, the march took place in complete silence, with the exception of a shrill whistle blown every two minutes to represent the frequency of sexual assault occurences in America today. The students marching together were a picture of solidarity and unity against sexual violence on our campus and across the country.
As the crowd of students returned to the Tower Lawn and the event drew to a close, participants were left with much to contemplate as they reflected on the evening.
When asked why she thought this event was important, Lily Ellis, a UI student. said, “I’m a survivor, so it means a lot to me to support.”
This sentiment was shared by many of the participants attending the event.
Isabelle Higgins represented UI students attending in solidarity with survivors.
“ (I came to) support the people, all the people who didn’t make it out of it, and the ones who did,” she said.
For more information on the Women’s Center and other upcoming events, visit their UI webpage.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Abbey Rode’s name.
Grace Giger can be reached at [email protected]