March 28, 2024

UMW, Other Virginia Campuses to Hold Virtual ‘Take Back the Night’

Take Back the Night – an international event that aims to end sexual, relationship and domestic violence in all forms – has had many incarnations since its inception more than 35 years ago, from rallies, marches and performances, to runs, walks and biking events. Now, with the looming presence of COVID-19, the event is going […]

UMW, Other Virginia Campuses Hold Virtual ‘Take Back the Night’

Take Back the Night – an international event that aims to end sexual, relationship and domestic violence in all forms – has had many incarnations since its inception more than 35 years ago, from rallies, marches and performances, to runs, walks and biking events. Now, with the looming presence of COVID-19, the event went virtual for the first time ever. Take Back the Night for 2020 is Take Back the Net.

Held as an annual speak-out and candlelight vigil at Mary Washington for over two decades, the event brings together the University and Fredericksburg communities to share personal stories of resilience and recovery, stand up against sexual assault and gender-based violence, and let survivors know they are not alone.

Unable to assemble in person, UMW Eagles joined electronically with colleges and universities across the Commonwealth for Take Back the Net on Tuesday evening. Spearheaded by the Virginia Campus Task Force, this Zoom gathering featured survivors, advocates and allies, including several Mary Washington students and alumni. The event came as higher education institutions nationwide observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April. Read more.

UMW Observes National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The University of Mary Washington observed National Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April with three public events: Fear 2 Freedom, The Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night.   UMW Clothesline Project Fear 2 Freedom kicked off the month of events on April 1. UMW’s Talley Center for Counseling Services worked with Fear 2 Freedom to provide after-care kits for those affected by rape, child abuse, domestic violence and sex-trafficking. Kits prepared by participants during the event were donated to local hospitals, Safe Harbor and the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault. Each kit included a T-shirt, sweatpants, underwear, Freedom bear and storybook, essential toiletries and a personal note. The Clothesline Project  displayed T-shirts on Ball Circle April 8-9. In this nationwide project, students and members of the greater Fredericksburg community who were affected by sexual violence decorated T-shirts that provided a visual testimony to their experiences. Take Back the Night, held on Wednesday, April 8 in front of Lee Hall, encourages survivors and other community members to speak out and take a stand against sexual violence. Take Back the Night takes place nationwide and has been an empowering event for survivors and their supporters for more than 35 years. These events were co-sponsored by Empowerhouse, the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault (RCASA), and by several UMW offices and organizations including Alpha Mu Sigma, Feminists United, the Office of Judicial Affairs and Community Responsibility, Psi Chi Honor Society, Student Anti-Violence Educators (S.A.V.E.), the Talley Center for Counseling Services and the Office of the Title IX Coordinator.

UMW Observes National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The University of Mary Washington will observe National Sexual Assault Awareness Month with two free public events in April, the “Where’s the Line?” campaign presentation and Take Back the Night. Take Back the Night at UMW. Photo courtesy of the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault. The “Where’s the Line?” presentation will be held Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. in the Anderson Center, with a welcome from President Richard V. Hurley. Attendees will have the opportunity to assemble care kits for sexual assault victims at local hospitals. “Where’s the Line?” is sponsored by Fear 2 Freedom, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those wounded by sexual abuse. Take Back the Night will be held Wednesday, April 16 beginning in front of Lee Hall at 6 p.m. The annual event, co-hosted by UMW and the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, encourages people to speak out and take a stand against sexual violence. The rain date is Wednesday, April 23. Take Back the Night takes place nationwide and has been operating for more than 35 years. More information about Take Back the Night and the Take Back the Night Foundation can be found at www.takebackthenight.org. Both “Where’s the Line?” and Take Back the Night at UMW are presented by the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services and the Office of Judicial Affairs and Community Responsibility.