Spring Break
Vigil, march honors rape, assault victims
Survivors recount stories at candlelit vigil
HAYLEY PETERSON
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
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The afternoon before the march, called Take Back the Night, was intended to celebrate the prospect of "breaking the silence," with two live bands in Tate Plaza and several speakers.
"This gives people a lot of courage and support to come forward and report," Sarah Frank, a junior from Franklin, Tenn. and director for the event, said. "Victims shouldn't feel shame. We want them to feel they are in a safe place."
Tate Plaza was buzzing with a crowd of about one hundred people making T-shirts and posters in preparation for the trek downtown.
Posters read, "Consent is Sexy," "Stop the Violence" and "Real Men Don't Rape."
The ruckus grew as the group gathered on Sanford Street to begin the march. Stomping and shouting, holding their banners high, they headed toward City Hall.
They chanted, "two, four, six, eight, stop the violence, stop the hate!" and "No means no, it don't mean maybe, don't touch me, my name ain't baby!"
Arriving at City Hall, the group cheered and settled down in front of the steps.
Everyone lit a candle and Frank explained that it was time for people to come forward and "break the silence" by sharing their own thoughts and experiences with the group.
Silence ensued.
Finally, after about 10 minutes of quiet, one woman stood and told her story.
And then silence.
Time passed ... another woman finally came forward.
And once again, quiet. This time, it lingered.
Frank took the stand. "We've done all this work to make this happen and it's still so hard to vocalize," she said.
She addressed pointing comments made by visitors earlier in the day on The Red & Black's Web site regarding a recent alleged rape at the University.
"The voices on the responses are the voices victims hear every day and often internalize," she said. "Not only does that make them silent but it also makes them doubt the validity of their experience."
Frank's comments drove the meaning home of "breaking the silence" for several people at the vigil. After she spoke, people stepped forward to address the group one after the other.
Take Back the Night was sponsored by the University's women's studies department.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
James
posted 4/25/08 @ 10:19 AM EST
I suppose "vigils" are all well and good but they do nothing to protect you. Do you think evil people who would do you harm are watching or care? Your time would be better spent in learning how to protect yourself in a dangerous or life threatening situation - or - go everywhere you go in a "Vigil March. (Continued…)
Stephen Borden
posted 4/25/08 @ 2:14 PM EST
James, I think you missed the point. As the article stated the point was to raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence, and to allow victims to "break the silence" and realize that they are not alone and should not be ashamed of their experiences, which happened to them through no fault of their own. (Continued…)
tadasana
posted 4/25/08 @ 3:05 PM EST
james, take back the night is also a place where survivors can feel empowered by being in an environment with other survivors and allies and supporters. (Continued…)
James
posted 4/25/08 @ 3:15 PM EST
There are SHEEP (who ramble around the pasture and go Baa, Baa).......
There are WOLVES who prey on the sheep .......
There are SHEEPDOGS (with fangs who kill or chase off the WOLVES and protect the sheep). (Continued…)
K
posted 4/25/08 @ 11:28 PM EST
Someone should have a talk with the R&B copy editors. Usually it is fruitless to be too picky about punctuation, but a slash instead of a comma here would make a world of difference for this headline. (Continued…)
K
posted 4/26/08 @ 9:45 AM EST
Yes, but the second part of it translates to those events honoring "rape" and "assault victims." It may have been better to go with a headline like "Vigil, march honors victims of rape and assault" or something along those lines. (Continued…)
James
posted 4/26/08 @ 10:51 AM EST
It's is amazing that you students are arguing over where a comma goes instead of the real issue here - how to protect yourself from evil people. You are in for a rude awakening when you hit the "real world". (Continued…)
K
posted 4/26/08 @ 11:48 AM EST
Yes, we should all be wonderful sheepdogs like you. That analogy shows just how grounded you are in reality.
James
posted 4/26/08 @ 12:33 PM EST
Dear K:
You may be flippant now but you will find out if you or someone you love ever faces the "wolf". I wish you well.
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