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

["Kaplan, Claire Naomi (cnk2r)" <>]

Dear Abdul,

Take back the night is really several things, including a speak out. It can be triggering, which is why it's important to have counselors present, AND to offer drop-in counseling the next day or at least shortly thereafter. 

If you go to the UVA Take Back the Night FB page (https://m.facebook.com/uvatbtn/?tsid=0.8284401409327984&source=typeahead) you'll see our schedule of events for the week, including a Day of Healing. We moved the Vigil/SpeakOut from Thursday to Monday because our counselors needed more time to respond to survivors before the weekend. The march and rally (a very important part of this event, and actually the original part of TBTN when it started in NYC, London, San Francisco and LA)  are on Thursday so as to end the week with the more empowering act of protest. 

So yes, you must give survivors a safe platform to speak their truths. 

Good luck,

Claire

--------

Claire Kaplan

Program Director, Gender Violence and Social Change

Maxine Platzer Lynn Women's Center

P.O. Box 800588

Charlottesville VA 22908-0588

(434) 982-2774

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 12, 2016, at 10:31 AM, Staten, Abdul <> wrote:

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)