Students 'Take Back the Night'

While Smith College may seem like a comparatively safe and supportive space for women, the campus bubble does not insulate students from issues of sexual violence and assault. To highlight these continuing problems and work for a safer environment for women, Smith community members participated in "Take Back the Night," a combination rally, vigil and speak-out for sexual assault victims and allies last Saturday. Take Back the Night is a national campaign working to end "the anxiety of walking alone at night," according to www.takebackthenight.org. The Smith group Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA) organized Saturday's event, which was co-sponsored by a diverse group of student organizations. The nighttime rally is intended to "shatter the silence around sexual assault and violence" and create empowerment, visibility and solidarity for survivors.

Participants gathered on Chapin Lawn Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil, then marched through downtown Northampton, chanting and carrying banners. Students identifying as survivors of sexual assault wore purple armbands, a way to convey "the scope of the problem but also to show our solidarity as survivors," SASA organizers said.

One attendee, Jack Nichols, called the event "fantastic."

"It's critically important for people here to know they have this support," he said.

Perhaps the most moving part of the event were the survivor testimonials. Student victims of sexual assault told their stories, including some anonymously submitted testimonials read by SASA workers. They spoke from various emotional stages: grief, guilt, pain and recovery. The testimonials starkly illustrate the ubiquity of sexual violence, as students told stories of emotional and physical assault occurring in homes, schools, families, relationships and even on Smith campus.

Some students read prepared statements or poems. Others told their stories for only the second or third time, and some students said they had never planned to speak, but were inspired to share their experiences. During the testimonials, SASA counselors circulated through the crowd to offer tissues and emotional support. The group also distributed information on hotlines and local support services.

"We hope this has been a night of healing and empowerment," SASA announcers told students after the event. "Please take care of yourselves and remember to support each other."

A wide range of student groups turned out for the event, including several student representatives of sponsoring groups who spoke before the march to emphasize the universal importance of stopping sexual violence.

"It's important to stress the relationship between choice and empowerment," the Voices for Choice representative told the crowd. "The right to walk free at night is intimately tied to our bodily autonomy."

Caitlin Bumpas '10, speaking for Feminists of Smith Unite, described her hope for a future where women would be safe day or night, in public or private spaces.

"We stand in solidarity in recognition that we live in a rape culture that condones, normalizes and excuses acts of sexual violence," Bumpas said.

Other co-sponsors of the event included Transcending Gender, Asexual Communication and Education, SSJIC - Queers and Allies, SSJIC - Prison Justice Coalition, Smith Rugby, Smith Republicans and Equality Across America Western Mass. Chapter.

"All our liberation is bound up together," said Hampshire student Madeline Burrows, speaking for Equality Across America. "We want to take back our streets for all the people oppressed around the world."

The speak-out opened and closed with performances by the Noteables. After the testimonials ended at 10 p.m., organizers announced a reception and "Reclaim our Bodies" dance party to allow Take Back the Night participants to process and recover.

For more information on preventing sexual assault and sexual violence, visit www.takebackthenight.org or the SASA Web site, www.sophia.smith.edu/sasa.