Athens, Ga. – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Campus and community organizations have come together and planned this year’s Take Back the Night, a community-wide event to speak out and raise awareness about sexual violence.
Project Safe, Inc., Sexual Assault Center of Northeast Georgia, the University Health Center, the Sexual violence Targeted Outreach and Prevention (STOP) student organization and the Women’s Studies Student Organization are sponsoring Take Back the Night in Athens Thursday, April 20.
Campus and community members who want to take a stand against sexual violence are encouraged to participate in this event. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. in the Tate Center Plaza and include group tables, speakers, music and discussion. A march through downtown Athens begins at 8 p.m. and will be followed by a speak-out in front of the Hunter-Holmes building on North Campus. The event will conclude at 10 p.m. with a candlelight vigil to be held at the Arch.
Sexual violence is any unwanted or nonconsensual sexual act. According to the Department of Justice, 90% of victims know their attackers. One woman in six will experience attempted or completed rape during her lifetime. One man in 33 will experience attempted or completed rape during his lifetime. Fewer than half of all rapes and sexual assaults are reported to the police.
Everyone is welcome to participate in Take Back the Night to reclaim public space and assert the right to live without fear and violence.
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