Western Takes Back the Night
Lauren Staten
Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: News
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Take Back the Night is held annually during October, which is also Domestic Violence Awareness month. Take Back the Night aims to raise awareness and empowerment for women who have faced rape, domestic abuse or other sexual assault, and to honor the memory of victims and survivors alike. The concept of TBTN is for women to march down the street and around the Square, shouting chants and carrying luminaries, taking back the night from unsafe streets and having their voice heard.
The event opened at 6 p.m. with the lighting of luminaries that led the way to the steps of Sherman Hall. The Take Back the Night Proclamation was recognized, having been signed by Western Illinois President Al Goldfarb and Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead. Following a reading of spoken word poetry, Mary Garrison spoke to those gathered.
Garrison earned her bachelor's degree in sociology at Western Illinois in 1989, and works as an assistant professor of social work in the behavioral sciences department at Millikin University. Garrison has had more than 10 years of experience with practice and supervision in the human services and mental health fields.
As an undergraduate at Western Illinois, Garrison was sexually assaulted and now shares her story of survival and empowering women, allowing them to believe in themselves again after facing turmoil.
She co-founded the Students Against Sexual Assault. After graduation, she worked as a victim advocate and victim witness coordinator with the State's Attorney's office in Macomb, and continues to make a profound impact on her community.
Lori Menke, another speaker at the event, is a Spoon River alumna and current employee at Western Illinois. Menke is a survivor of teenage sexual assault by a police officer. Her touching story described the suffering and years of therapy it took for her to gain the courage to speak to others about her ordeal.
"I hope that in sharing my story, others who have not dealt with their own experiences will understand that until you deal with the issues head-on, you are still being controlled by the abuser," Menke said. She stressed the importance of getting help after any sort of abuse or assault.
Other speakers included Janine Cavicchia and Diane Mayfield, and the event also featured musical performances by Dana Perry, Jessica Mason McFadden and Liz Thielemann.
The march route began at the front steps of Sherman Hall, continued down Adams Street to Lafayette, then around the Square to conclude at Chandler Park for the closing rally. Participants could be seen and heard throughout the bar route in the Square.
As the rally drew to a close, a sea of students, faculty and community members united to support one cause: the protection of women.
"It is important for us to get together and get our voices heard," said sophomore law enforcement and justice administration major Colleen Casey. "Awareness is the first step to making change."
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