Story by Haley Penrod
Staff Writer
hpenrod1@murraystate.edu
Take Back the Night was hosted on April 2 to observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Abigail Cox, the coordinator of the Women’s Center, said this is a tradition at Murray State.
“It’s sort of a gathering of people who feel passionately about sexual assault prevention,” Cox said. “For me, Take Back the Night represents something symbolic that we are taking a moment to reflect on each of our own roles in preventing sexual assault as well as our responsibility to the campus as a whole and how we individually play into creating the type of campus that we want to have.”
Rebecca Thomas, residential director of Hart College, said going to college can offer positive and negative experiences.
“Sexual assault and domestic violence is something we wish to not exist,” Thomas said. “It is something we do not necessarily think about or consider til it happens to us or someone close to us.”
Thomas said the residential colleges’ goal is to create a safe and open environment to prevent and discuss sexual assault.
Thomas opened up about her own experience in an abusive relationship. She said she was in denial that it was happening and acted out.
Thomas also said she wants students to know residential colleges offer resources to help students including campus sources, housing options and simply having someone to talk to.
Events like Take Back the Night are one way to educate students, faculty and staff about sexual assault and how to help survivors. The Women’s Center will also host a panel to help educate faculty and staff.
“We will be having a panel for faculty and staff talking to them about how to be supportive and respond to students who may disclose sexual assault to them,” Cox said. “Toward the end of the month, we will be having an event with our nursing students to educate them about a program called ‘Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Certification’ and we will be talking about how they become certified as well as the benefits.”
Lily Grieve, sophomore from Edwardsville, Illinois, is the president of Advocating for Respect Culture. She said their mission is to create a world where everyone has the freedom to live fully through education, empowerment and advocacy.
“We want to create a space where everyone feels like it is safe to talk and ask questions,” Grieve said.
ARC was originally created as a sexual assault advocacy group. They promote the importance of consent and healthy relationships.
The club will host an event in Waterfield Library called “2020 A Comprehensive Look at Sexual Assault.” It will consist of a series of posters from each academic department on campus to show their view of sexual assault in their field of study.
Ryan Ackermann, freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, said it is important to talk about events like this because sexual assault is notoriously prevalent on college campuses nationwide.
Jaime Mason, a sophomore from Louisville, Kentucky, also said it’s important to talk about sexual assault because of the stigma around it.
“It is something that is stigmatized and people really don’t like to talk about it,” Mason said. “Especially survivors talking about it if they can handle it is very effective.”
Students, faculty and staff who experience sexual assault should contact the IDEA office. Contact information can be found here.