This Thursday, victims of assault will have a chance to share their stories with the rest of the UB community through artwork, speak-outs and creative expression.
UB's installment of Take Back the Night will be held at Harriman Hall on South Campus at 7 p.m., with activities ranging from poetry and artwork to speeches and a candlelight vigil.
The Clothesline Project will take place Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The activity is a national, progressive work of art during which victims of violence will have a chance to decorate T-shirts to express their emotions about the attack. The shirts are then displayed with pieces designed by other victims.
"The Clothesline Project is for survivors to put their testimony in a public space that is anonymous," said Sasha McGarvey, assistant director of Health Education and Human Services.
Another event will be the Men's Pledge to End Violence, a contract that men in attendance can sign to become a partner in ending violence against women.
"I think that it's becoming more common that men and women take responsibility for what's going on in our society," McGarvey said. "Sexual violence affects men too."
According to McGarvey, one in six men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime, while the statistic is doubled for women. In terms of college life, one in four women will be sexually assaulted during their academic career. Fifty percent of these sexual assaults involve alcohol.
UB's sector is planned by the Health Education and Human Services and co-sponsored by Planned Parenthood, the Wellness Center and Crisis Services. UB has hosted Take Back the Night for over a decade.
McGarvey said she anticipated at least as many participants as last year in Thursday's event. Last year's affair drew in about 600 people. Student volunteers have also played a role in planning this year.
"It's always been a pretty big crowd drawer, because I think that it unites a lot of people," McGarvey said. "This is a really important awareness event because it really affects our community heavily."
For Anna Peryea, violence prevention coordinator, it is especially important to educate college students about the dangers of sexual assault. In 80 to 85 percent of rape cases, the attacker is an acquaintance, according to Peryea.
"We really just want to raise a lot of awareness. This is the age group (where) it's really a big deal," she said. "(We want to) get college kids thinking about it more, not as (just) a stranger thing."
McGarvey said that cases of rape or violence hit closer to home than many students recognize.
"I think that as people start to talk about this type of subject more they realize," she said. "Even if they haven't themselves been sexually assaulted, they know someone close to them that has."
Music performances by the Buffalo Chips will also be part of the events. Poetry by students and voluntary community members will be read. Artwork will be on display reflecting the themes of the night. Following the poetry readings, a sexual assault nurse examiner will be giving a speech on the options victims of assault can take after the incident.
A larger, more inclusive pledge for men and women will take place prior to the start of the candlelight vigil march. The route of the march is still undetermined, but organizers have set aside 45 minutes for the walk.
"We know that it will be on campus and on Main Street," McGarvey said.
A survivor speak-out - a public forum for victims to share their stories and express their emotions - will take place following the march. End of the night events include a healing bonfire accompanied by the Royal Pitches.
"If you haven't had a personal experience, it doesn't really hit home until you hear a story that you connect to," McGarvey said. "I think that's why it's such a powerful event."
"This is just a great venue, it gets people out and gets people thinking," Peryea said.
Black T-shirts with white print will be on sale throughout the event for $10. Proceeds will go towards HEHS and the Anti-Rape Task Force program.
Women Take Back the Night began in 1976 in Belgium as a forum for women victimized by violence. Since then, WTBN has become a worldwide event hosted by different organizations and celebrated in different ways.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
