Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Holly Rider-Milkovich <>]

Hi all:

While we call TBTN and Speak Out events "safe" or "confidential"--we don't have the legal ability to actually make this true. In my professional history, I have known survivors who were sued successfully by their perpetrators for defamation of character following their naming their perpetrators at a public event. At U-M we have as a guideline that individuals not name their perpetrators. 

On Tue, Apr 12, 2016 at 10:51 AM, Irvine, Mahri <> wrote:

Hi Abdul and all,

 

In my opinion, the entire point of TBTN is to provide a safe, empowering space for survivors to share their stories. I can’t understand why someone would remove that essential, core element of TBTN. What’s the point of TBTN if survivors cannot tell their stories, in as much or as little detail as they want?

 

A well-organized TBTN should have crisis counselors present to help anyone – audience members or speakers – who feel triggered or need to talk. That should alleviate your colleague’s concern about a triggered audience member.

 

Sincerely,

Mahri

 

Mahri Irvine, PhD

IU Statewide Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Specialist

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Walker Plaza 220

719 Indiana Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46202

317-274-2501 (office)

317-278-0948 (fax)

 

Check out our upcoming conference and webinars!

 

From: Staten, Abdul [mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 10:04 AM
To:
Subject: Take Back the Night

 

Hi colleagues –

 

I’m looking to get some advice, and gather some evidence, regarding Take Back the Night. One of our counselors is urging the point that survivor testimonies should not be included in the event (or at least, testimonies should not go into detail about assault/abuse), because it could trigger those in the audience.

 

In fighting for survivors to share their experiences, and thus heal, I am unmoved by the request to withdraw survivor testimonies. Still, I wanted to get an idea of whether other institutions are facing a similar challenge.

 

Does your institution implement “Take Back the Night”? If so, do you include survivor testimonies? Or, are limitations placed on the kind of testimonies, so as to reduce triggering?

 

Thanks in advance, everyone. It’s difficult enough to fight against sexual violence, without also having to go against colleagues, too!

 

Abdul

 

Abdul Staten, MA

Training & Program Coordinator,

Women & Gender Resource Action Center (WGRAC)

Trinity College

300 Summit Street

2nd floor, Mather Hall

Hartford, CT  06106

Office: 860.297.4131

Email:

Click here to learn more about WGRAC! (Trinity’s Women & Gender Resources Action Center)

 

--

Holly M. Rider-Milkovich

Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center

Co-Chair, Abuse Hurts Initiative

University of Michigan

(734) 764-7771

(734) 936-3333 (24. Hr. Crisis Line)

 

Michigan Union 

530 S. State St, G509

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

sapac.umich.edu

facebook: Holly At SAPAC