Annual rally kicks off in April
Take Back The Night participants march to fight sexual violence
Janice Irwin
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
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Male and female speakers, who have suffered from sexual violence and other violent crimes, speak out about their survivorship. Heard in these testimonials are hope, courage, and determination.
This event will be held Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at the Washington Park Lake House in Albany. Take Back the Night kicks off with a pre-rally beginning at 5p.m., the rally at 5:30p.m., and the march which leads off at 6:30p.m.
In 1978, two years after historic roots were planted in Belgium, Take Back The Night sprouted in San Francisco soil. This now international event began stateside to protest against rape and prostitution of women. It has grown to include all types of sexual violence against all persons: male and female, young and old.
The Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center, in cooperation with University of Albany's Student Association, organizes this regional venue to bring about awareness of the effects of violence within our community. The Rape Crisis Center, a past fraction of the Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center, held their first rally on the Capitol steps in 1981. In an e-mail, Deputy Director of the center Debra Schramek said, "I think there were about 100 people who attended... It was a rally, but no march - the march was added the next year."
Since then the event has continued to grow. Entertainment, survivor testimonials, and a candlelight vigil has been added. To aid in this growth, for the past seven years the University at Albany Student Association has provided funds and hard working students to assist with the planning. "Without SA we could not put on the event we have today," said Amy Vincent, Prevention Educator of the Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center.
Various organizations and clubs such as the center, New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Planned Parenthood, University at Albany Sexual Assault Resource Center, Sexual Assault & Crime Victim Assistance Program of Rensselaer County, Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, The Legal Project, New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Organization for Women Albany Chapter, In Our Own Voices, and Equinox will be there to answer questions and offer an abundance of information and support.
Tables of vendors will line the perimeter with giveaways, t-shirts, and educational literature.
Therapists from the center will be available at the event for counseling. To identify who they are, they will be wearing bandanas as armbands.
Two Deep Entertainment, a local theater group, will present a skit about issues of sexual violence. Vincent said, "This is the first time we've had a performance by a theatre group and it's going to be very exciting to see what they come up with." The entertainment will be followed by speakers from the region's agencies dedicated to ending violence and abuse.
T-shirts, hand decorated by survivors, are clipped to a clothesline and hung in the Lake House. The Clothesline Project has traveled around the area to local schools and community organizations since 1993. The clothesline itself represents the line of hope and connection between victims and recovery.
The rally is led off into the night with a march that wraps partway around Washington Park, over to Lark Street, and back to the Lake House. Marchers carry catchphrase signs and call out chants along the way: End the silence, no more violence; However we dress, wherever we go, yes means yes no means no; and Survivors unite, take back the night.
The Albany Police Department officers lead the march on horseback. Vincent, in an e-mail, said "The APD has been a great resource for TBTN. They are always supportive of our event and lend us their services during our rally and march."
Once back at the park, a candlelight vigil will conclude the occasion. The lit candles symbolize the protest against the ways in which violence saturates the lives of people globally.
The event has a great impact on the community. In an e-mail, Clinical Supervisor of the center, Robin Belansky, said, "It helps victims have a voice, know they are not alone, educates potential victims to prevent victimization, educates the public about laws...It is a yearly reminder that this is still, and unfortunately (will) always be an issue...The slogans that are shouted in the march say it all." Belansky also points out that the event is "part of healing" and it enables the participants to "feel part of a community that cares and understands" them.
If you or anyone you know may be suffering from sexual assault or other violent crime, there is help available by contacting the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center at 447-7100. The 24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline number is 447-7716.
Information on how you may participate or attend Take Back The Night is available by contacting the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center at 447-7100.
Take Back The Night helps "raise awareness, educate, and give voice to the issues of sexual violence," said Vincent.
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