Take Back the Night Event Participants to Take a Stand Against Sexual Violence
As part of West Chester University’s It’s On Us week of action, the Center for Women
and Gender Equity (CWGE) will host its annual Take Back the Night event and an alternative
event, Community Care Night, on Wednesday, April 24, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Take Back the Night events offer the community a way to express support to and for those who have experienced sexual violence or harm; share information about campus and local resources; and support a safer campus community. Students, employees, and friends of WCU are welcome to participate.
The program begins with a resource fair and refreshments at the Rammy statue at the corner of South Church Street and West Rosedale Avenue (rain location Sykes Student Union Ballrooms, 110 West Rosedale) and ends with a speak out at Ram Park adjacent to Sykes Student Union (rain location Sykes Theater).
For those needing a lower sensory event offering other forms of support and healing, Community Care Night will include games and sensory toys in the CWGE space in Lawrence Hall, Room 214, located at 705 South New Street.
Members of the WCU Counseling Center will be present during both events.
CWGE has been hosting Take Back the Night events since 1988 and Community Care Night since April last year.
CWGE director Lindsey Mosvick emphasizes that anyone interested can attend some or all of the aspects of the event. “We try to ensure that folks have what they need in their desired environment before they leave us,” she says. For those who choose to participate in the alternative Community Care Night, she adds, “We wanted to make sure that we were being inclusive toward all students who care about these issues and want to take more action, get more involved, and advocate.”
Additional details about the events are available on the CWGE Instagram page. Participants will have the option to submit an anonymous form to be able to participate in the speak out segment. The speak out is optional.
Since 1974, WCU’s Center for Women’s & Gender Equity has advocated for gender equity issues in collaboration with the campus community. The center actively promotes and advocates for a campus community that values the safety, equality, and intellectual advancement of women and other historically marginalized groups.
For additional information, contact cwge@wcupa.edu.
Take Back The Night is the oldest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence. From its beginnings in 1970, it has evolved into a charitable organization with a global mission to end sexual violence in all forms and to support survivors in their healing journeys. The organization fosters safe communities through events and initiatives that unite people from every background, belief, and culture around the world to take a visible and vocal stand.
It’s On Us was founded in 2014 to increase public awareness around sexual assault prevention on campus. The non-profit’s mission is to give students of all identities the tools to address the cultural norms at the root of sexual harm through prevention education.