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

["Malsam,Casey" <>]

Thanks for this question. I echo what many of our colleagues have shared. At Colorado State University we have an annual Take Back the Night Event hosted by a student organization. Typically we have around 300-400 students faculty and staff attend. We have many survivors share their story or their healing process. The only advise the organization gives is to not use a perpetrators last name unless they have been convicted of the crime.

 

I believe that the purpose of the event is to end the silence around gender based violence, and asking survivors to silence their stories is counterproductive to the event. We offer trigger warnings and have trained confidential advocates available if people get triggered. In my experience, it can be a heavy event, and it is also one of empowerment. Seldom do the advocates actually provide advocacy at the event. After the survivor speak out, the group rallies and marched down our main street chanting, singing and carrying posters that the attendees make in advance. The night culminates with a keynote speaker who harnesses the empowerment of evening and encourages student activism.

 

 

Casey Malsam

Coordinator/Victim Advocate

Women and Gender Advocacy Center: 970-491-6384

24 hour Victim Assistance Line: 970-492-4242

www.wgac.colostate.edu

 

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From: Staten, Abdul [mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 8:04 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)