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

Hello Group,

Take Back the Night is our largest annual celebration for Sexual Assault Awareness month. We have always had a "Speak Out" portion for survivors and other audience members to share their stories, messages of hope and new learning/growth. There are always multiple support staff in the room from more than one space, and with varying degrees ,licenses, titles, and specialties so that students have option to engage with whom ever they feel most comfortable. There are also campus and community organizations hosting information tables outside of the room so that students can gain information to take home and contact for follow up support. I would caution you against removing this amazingly cathartic piece of the program both for the participants but also to maintain the original historical essence of the event.  

Amber Mosley M.A.
Sexual Assault Prevention Education Coordinator
Sindecuse Health Center

Western Michigan University
(269)387-2990

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From: "Mahri Irvine" <>
To: "Abdul Staten" <>,
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 10:51:10 AM
Subject: RE: Take Back the Night

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)