Trine’s Take Back the Night returns to educate about sexual assault

Trine University will host its annual Take Back the Night rally and march to inform and educate the community about sexual assault, with the ultimate goal of prevention.

The event, held as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in the MTI Center, with food, an information fair, poster-making and free item handouts.

Kim Hemker, executive director of the Branch County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, will serve as keynote speaker for the event. A sexual violence survivor who is a board member of the organization will share their story.

Take Back the Night will culminate with the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” march down Thunder Drive from the MTI Center to the Ryan Skybridge and back. Men will wear high heels in support of sexual assault survivors during the march.

The event is free and open to the public.

During the week leading up to Take Back the Night, Trine student organizations will participate in a penny wars competition to raise money for the Branch County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

The mission of Take Back the Night is to raise community awareness about sexual harassment and assault, which impacts more than 80% of women and more than 40% of men, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. The event also supports survivors of physical, sexual or emotional assault.

The first Take Back the Night was held in 1977 in England and was a women-only protest against the violence and fear women encountered while walking alone at night. The movement spread from England to San Francisco in 1978, and from there has grown across the country, particularly among college campuses.

Take Back the Night is hosted by the Office of Student Affairs at Trine University.