For Immediate Release

Contact: Mandy Rey

Sept. 7, 2006

(662) 329-7119

 

‘Take Back the Night’ march and rally at MUW

 

Columbus, Miss. – The Counseling Services department at Mississippi University for Women along with Peer Outreach at The W will sponsor the “Take Back the Night” march and rally on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public and will be held on Shattuck Lawn.

“Take Back the Night” is an annual coming together of the MUW community to protest sexual assault and domestic/dating violence.

The night will include an inter-faith vigil, a march and conclude with a rally. Speakers and music from the campus and community will be featured. Additionally, survivors of sexual violence will have the opportunity to break the silence and give voice to their experiences.

According to the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics, every two minutes a woman in the United States is raped. Approximately 28 percent of victims are raped by husbands or boyfriends, 35 percent by acquaintances and 5 percent by other relatives.

In response to this reality, "Take Back the Night" rallies and marches were initially established in Europe in the 1970s. The purpose of these events was to protest the unsafe conditions for women on the streets at night. “Take Back the Night" events, rallies and marches continue to be held in many communities throughout the United States as an expression of solidarity with, and support for, survivors of sexual violence.

Other activities during the week include a self-defense class on Monday, Sept. 18 and a performance by the University of Alabama Theatre group.

For more information, or to request a needed accommodation to participate, call (662) 329-7127.