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

["NIX, SHANNON" <>]

I helped plan TBTN at my former institution and we always included survivor testimony (let me say that there I was a counselor in our on-campus counseling center). We hosted TBTN in partnership with our local rape crisis center (the ED and I co-chaired the SAAM planning committee) and our local HBCU. Re: survivor testimony, we asked those who wanted to speak to be screened by a counselor (either at rape crisis or the university counseling center) to ensure they were at a point in their recovery to speak publicly about their journey. We asked them to focus on just that in their speeches - their healing and recovery. They were asked not to share details about the abuse/assault - 1) so as not to trigger those in the audience or themselves and 2) the point of their story was to inspire other survivors to seek help if they haven't already, and to know recovery is possible. We asked them to write up their speech which they reviewed in session with their counselor. They also signed releases for media and could choose not to speak to them (we had a close relationship with our local media and they knew to look for the RC ED or I and we'd connect them to the survivor/s who were comfortable speaking to them). 

The speaking portion of TBTN was one hour with the last half hour devoted to survivors. We usually had between 3 and 5 to speak, and we then ended with a candlelight walk through campus. We had counselors present and the campus counseling center knew to look for walk ins; honestly, we didn't experience that many the day after. 

I'd be glad to discuss this further if you have additional questions - my office number is 803.777.8248 or feel free to email me. 

Thanks so much,

Shannon

Please excuse brevity and typos. Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 12, 2016, at 10:50 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)

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