The university will once again "Take Back the Night" this Wednesday. The event hopes to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault in our nation today. A march will leave from the Glover Gate and end with a candlelight vigil for victims of violence. Students and staff will be sharing their experiences and all students and staff are encouraged to attend.
If you have been paying attention, you would have seen the T-shirts hanging in the TDR stairway with some facts and figures regarding violence. These numbers are sobering, and it is hard to fathom that one in every four women will be a victim of unwarranted violence.
The subject of rape and assault has somehow become taboo in recent years, but a dialogue is needed if we ever hope to overcome this issue. Victims should be encouraged to seek help, and we should be there for them when that time comes. Those who will be sharing this week have been through a lot, and being able to get up and speak about such experiences will only strengthen the rest of us.
While improvements have been made in Public Safety response times to Blue Light calls, the university could be doing more. Unauthorized people are still gaining access to residence halls, and the administration should take a more active role in our safety while on campus.
Wednesday night's gathering is not just for women. Men who have been abuse victims are welcome to speak, or to show their support, for survivors or women important in their lives, because everyone is affected by domestic violence.
