Latest news with #TakeBacktheNight
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
22nd annual Take Back the Night March honors sexual assault survivors
OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY)– St. Landry-Evangeline Sexual Assault Center held their 22nd annual Take Back The Night March and Vigil for victims of sexual assault at the Opelousas Junior High School and ended at the courthouse square. Kizzy Shelvin, the community outreach coordinator and educator said, 'It is very important to us to let our community know and others around that someone is here to listen. Someone cares. We have a shoulder for them to clean on.' Data from the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault shows every 68 Seconds an American is sexually assaulted. The website also explained that 81% of women & 43% of men experience some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. However, only 36% of rape and sexual assaults are reported to the police. Hearts of Hope offers aid and resources for sexual violence survivors Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Take Back The Night is an event to give support and a voice to victims. Shelvin said they started in 1999 and it has moved forward through different leadership with the same mission. 'Take Back the Night is to represents that we are no longer held in captivity through what we've been through, no longer being in bondage. We're releasing it and we have people here to help us go through that,' Shelvin said. Lafayette tattoo shop raises funds for abuse and trauma victims With a mixture of supporters and survivors, guest speakers share their testimonies. 'A lot of times we know we have to hurt before we heal. So just to let someone know that, listen, this is how I made it through,' said Shelvin. 'We are here for you. The reason we do take back the night is to let you know that someone is listening, someone cares. Yes, we hear you loud and clear. Don't be ashamed of your testimony again. We don't judge people to violate our bodies.' If you are in need of help you can call the HOTLINE at 1-800-656-HOPE. Also St. Landry-Evangeline Sexual Assault Center Opelousas Main Office is open Monday through Friday 8:00A.M. until 4:30 PM. You can also call at 337-585- HOPE (4673) Trump rails against Fed chair, judges and Joe Biden at 100-day Michigan rally SALT Republicans to huddle with Johnson on key Trump agenda sticking point 22nd annual Take Back the Night March honors sexual assault survivors Law enforcement demonstrates dangers of converted firearm Proposal to develop Holy Rosary Campus into the Northeast Regional Library Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
People gather at Crystal Coast to support survivors of sexual assault
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Monday, Apr. 28, 2025, people gathered in Morehead City to take part in a Take Back the Night walk to support survivors of sexual assault. The walk went through Morehead City with people holding up signs to show support for survivors of sexual assault. 'This is our fourth-annual Tack Back the Night Walk. We hold those walks to bring awareness to sexual assault in our communities and it's a good way to let people know who we are and what we do,' Carteret Speak Director Vicki Wank said. 'Sexual assault does happen in every community and so, this is a great way to bring it to light and with our new name of Carter Speak, remind people that we speak up for survivors and speak out against sexual violence.' The Carteret Speak Program provides a number of resources. 'All of our services are completely free and confidential. There's no insurance, no eligibility. Everything is free and confidential,' Wank said. 'We provide licensed clinical therapy sessions for survivors of sexual assault. We have victim advocates who will assist victims at the hospital through court proceedings, interviews with law enforcement and we also have support groups for survivors of sexual assault. Our support groups meet on the first and third Monday evenings of each month from 6 p.m. to 7:30.' Wank said anyone can become a victim of sexual assault and it can happen in many ways. 'But it knows no socioeconomic class, race, sex, religion, it's everybody who experiences some form of sexual assault in their families, in their communities,' she said. 'And we want people to know it's okay to reach out to us. If anybody needs our services, they can reach us at (252)-504-3668.' Carteret SPEAK also has advocacy and volunteer opportunities available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘We're not alone': Longmont community uplifts sexual assault survivors at ‘Take Back the Night'
Front Range Community College in Longmont has opened its doors to anyone seeking resources, validation and comfort in the wake of sexual violence at 'Take Back the Night.' On Thursday, FRCC's Boulder County campus hosted its annual event aimed at supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Take Back the Night events are observed around the world to decry sexual violence and show people that it hasn't gone away. 'This is our big event of the year,' said Priscilla Larson, president of the college's Feminist Uprising Collective club. 'It's really important, especially with the political climate we're in, to just get resources out to people, and let people be heard and seen.' Lisa Taylor Strauss with Blue Sky Bridge talks to a guest at her booth on Thursday. Front Range Community College in Longmont raised awareness of sexual violence at 'Take Back the Night.' (Dana Cadey / Staff writer) More than 15 local organizations had booths at the event, which was held in the college's outdoor courtyard. Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence — a nonprofit serving people impacted by domestic violence in Boulder and Broomfield counties — was a new presence at Take Back the Night this year. 'It just makes sense to be here,' said Alex Mitter, housing coordinator for SPAN. Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County returned as both a vendor and an event sponsor. 'It's very core to our mission to provide advocacy and support to help fight violence against women,' Zonta club president Pam Malzbender said. 'Having a sense of community keeps us all strong and positive, because it makes us know we're not alone.' A lineup of speakers gave remarks on how community members can stand against sexual assault and domestic violence. Longmont City Councilmembers Sean McCoy and Susie Hidalgo-Fahring spoke to over 50 guests about the city's efforts to oppose sexual violence. Front Range Community College alum Violet Stoudt speaks to guests on Thursday. Front Range Community College in Longmont raised awareness of sexual violence at 'Take Back the Night.' (Dana Cadey / Staff writer) 'We want to uplift your voices and make sure that stigma doesn't bring us down,' Hidalgo-Fahring told guests on Thursday. 'Together, we will rise.' Keynote speaker Isabella Grace Cohn recently created a documentary film about survivors of sexual violence. Cohn said it's important to have healthy discussions about consent, boundaries and power dynamics. 'It is crucial that we normalize these conversations, and start them,' Cohn said. This year, 10 individuals shared personal stories of harassment, abuse and assault during the open mic portion. The evening ended with a candlelight vigil, where participants shared one word to describe how the event made them feel. Several called the event hopeful. FRCC alum Violet Stoudt said events like Take Back the Night show survivors of sexual assault that they are not alone. 'We want to connect with each other, to tell each other stories,' Stoudt said. 'Being vulnerable is how you build community.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Carteret County Rape Crisis Program rebrands as S.P.E.A.K.
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Carteret County Rape Crisis Program is now renamed S.P.E.A.K. The rebranding, approved by the Carteret County Board of Commissioners reflects the program's mission to provide Support, Prevention, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Knowledge to survivors and the community. The name S.P.E.A.K. represents the program's commitment to helping survivors findtheir voices while encouraging the community to SPEAK up for survivors, SPEAK outagainst sexual violence, and take action to prevent assault. The new identity is concise, memorable, and aligns with the program's core values and focuses on education, prevention, and advocacy. 'This new name clearly communicates who we are and what we stand for,' Program Director Vicki Wank said. 'It's not just about crisis response—it's about empowering survivors, educating the public, and fostering a culture of accountability. With slogans like 'Speak Up, Speak Out,' we hope to inspire more conversations and action.' Throughout April, Carteret S.P.E.A.K. is hosting several events to engagethe community including: 4th Annual 'Take Back the Night' – Monday, April 28, at 4 us at Carteret S.P.E.A.K. (300 Penny Lane, Morehead City) for an openhouse event featuring local resources, followed by a solidarity walk to raiseawareness and support survivors. Denim Day – Wednesday, April 30Residents are encouraged to wear denim to challenge victim-blaming myths andstand with survivors. This global movement began after a 1998 court case wherea judge wrongly suggested a victim's clothing justified assault. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nonprofit spotlights Sexual Assault Awareness Month
DELAWARE WATER GAP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — April is sexual assault awareness month and one non-profit in the Poconos is standing up for the voiceless. Signs that read 'No is a complete sentence' and 'I march with survivors' are scattered inside Safe Monroe Tuesday. The nonprofit in Delaware Water Gap serves as a safe haven for those affected by domestic and sexual abuse. They are making sure their voices are heard during the month of April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 'We have served over 150 people just last year, adults and children for sexual violence, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse so it does happen regardless of where you are.' Executive director Lauren Peterson is getting ready for its 'Take Back the Night' event that kicks off at 5 pm Thursday at Courthouse Square, ending at East Stroudsburg University. 'We demand justice, we support survivors. We want safe streets, safe homes, safe communities, safe schools.' The march has been happening for more than 30 years. T-shirts here hold powerful messages, made by survivors in Monroe County. They'll be on display Thursday at ESU, all part of the march's clothesline project. 'Sometimes people think with sexual violence, 'Well what were you wearing? Was it something that was revealing?' nine times out of ten, it was something as simple as a t-shirt and jeans, or pajamas, or a sweatsuit, things like that.' One in three women and one in six men are affected by rape or attempted rape. A difficult topic, but Peterson says she hopes people start feeling comfortable with being uncomfortable to work toward prevention. 'The more we talk about it and the more that people are open to having the conversation, we're able to shine a light where there's only darkness before.' In addition to Safe Monroe's 'Take Back the Night' event in Stroudsburg on Thursday, the nonprofit is also hosting its annual gala on the 25th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
