Take Back the Night unifies Ithaca against abuse and sexual violence
CROWD: People unite! Take back the night! People unite! Take back the night!
MORALES: Last Friday, the streets of Ithaca echoed with chants, sending a message as people celebrated the 38th annual Take Back the Night event.
MORALES: Take Back the Night is a march, rally and vigil supporting the fight against domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. The Tompkins County Advocacy Center organized the event, and Kristi Taylor, the Education director, told me more about what other services they provide survivors and allies.
TAYLOR: From talking on our 24 hour hotline and hearing what your medical and legal options are—processing the emotional impacts—or actually going with people to report to the police, or talk to Title IX coordinators, or getting connected with therapy groups.
MORALES: And, of course, the Take Back the Night event. Although it is hosted by Advocacy Center members, Kristi explained that the event is planned by community members. They even selected this year’s theme: healing through storytelling.
TAYLOR: The event is actually planned by a community collective. We bring together high school students, college students, community members, professionals—anybody who is really interested and passionate about these issues. Through conversations and talking, they really decided that looking at how do we heal, how do stories become part of that process, and how do we make more people aware. Healing through storytelling became a vision for that.
MORALES: One of the people who helped plan the event is Anna Gardner, President of Feminists United at Ithaca College. Anna says she connects with the theme, and that she’s open to dialogue about people’s experiences.
GARDNER: I think empathy is something that we lack sometimes, thinking that we can just assume what someone else is feeling or why. You know, sometimes I felt that I see something and I’m like, ‘Well that’s not big of a deal.’ But when I listen to someone’s personal experience and how it’s affected them, I’m more empathetic towards them and their situation.
MORALES: On its 38th year, the Take Back the Night event fell on a warm, sunny evening. At the rally, the lineup was set with singers, dancers, poets and other performers. A speak-out session was available for community members to share their story of domestic violence, sexual assault or child sexual abuse. And all three situations aren’t just problems in Ithaca—these are still issues nationwide.
MORALES: According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, 11.2% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation. Ithaca College and Cornell University are not exempt to this issue.
GARDNER: People have talked about this multiple times on Ithaca College’s campus, where if a sexual assault happens, we try to make it seem as nice as possible: “forcible touching.” And I think we just need to name what’s going on and not be afraid of it; not make it seem like any less because it is changing someone’s life, and that should not be talking lightly. So I think if we talk about it, and call it what it is, that can start to open up the dialogue for our community.
MORALES: At the rally, armbands were handed out that said either “ally” or “survivor.” While I saw both colors mixed in a sea of people, no one stood alone; everyone stood together. It is moments like this that show it is worth fighting against these issues—it starts with us at an individual level.
MORALES: The Advocacy Center offers resources for help, and receives some funding from the city. However, the dynamics in Washington are having an affect on the center, with potential cuts in federal funding.
TAYLOR: I think it’s a little challenging right now, because we’re not quite sure how things are going to come out for things like the Violence Against Women Act, and that legislation changed victim service work. It provided the first, real, good, stable, consistent funding for agencies like the Advocacy Center to provide comprehensive services to survivors, but also training to law enforcement, systems, [and] court officials to better respond to these folks, and right now we’re at a time where there’s potential that that money will be cut.
MORALES: Despite the threat, the Advocacy Center plans to continue all of their services. And for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Tompkins County, Kristi says that support is available beyond just the Advocacy Center.
TAYLOR: I would tell them that you’re not alone, and that this wasn’t your fault, and that there’s people that care, and that can and want to help, and stand next to your through this really difficult process and difficult time. I think attending events like this, if it feels safe and comfortable, can be a first step to really see the power of some many people coming together in support.
MORALES: For WICB News, I’m Christopher Morales.
