Awareness Week Kicks Off

“Take Back the Night,” an 11-day series of speakers and film screenings intended to raise campus awareness of sexual violence, launched in Ticknor Lounge yesterday, and the program’s leaders said they hope to shed light on the concerns of a broader range of students than in previous years.

This year, “Take Back the Night” will place a special emphasis on international issues like sexual slavery and will stress that sexual assault concerns both men and women, said co-chairs Astha Thapa ’08 and Laura C. Mumm ’09.

“Men and women should work together to end sexual violence. It’s seen as a women’s issue, but it’s not,” Thapa said.

The program also includes a new event focusing on sexual violence in homosexual relationships, Thapa added.

“Sexual assault is a very prominent issue, particularly on college campuses,” said Ryan M. Travia, director of Alcohol and Other Drug Services, one of the program’s 18 co-sponsors. “This is one of the most under-reported crimes out there.”

Daniella T. Gilbert ’09, who chaired last night’s Kick-Off Study Break, said that the breadth of “Take Back the Night” sponsors shows “solidarity on campus” about keeping the issue at the forefront of students’ minds.

“Take Back the Night” not only strives to bring together students from all corners of Harvard Yard, but also affords many groups the opportunity to hear and think about the effects of sexual violence on campus and off.

The Undergraduate Council passed legislation on Sunday supporting “Take Back the Night” and encouraging representatives to attend the event.

Yesterday Benjamin P. Schwartz ’10, the vice-chair of the UC’s Committee on College Life, came to show his support.

“Without using our role as student advocates to help raise awareness, we fail our constituents,” he said. “When you have an environment of denial, you also have an environment that’s more permissive.”

Susan B. Marine, who directs the Harvard College Women’s Center, said that events like “Take Back the Night” are particularly important in a college setting.

“The 18 to 25 age group is at tremendously high risk” of sexual assault, she said.

The program, she noted, provides an opportunity for victims to “empower themselves and their friends to survive and to heal from [sexual assault], if it should happen to them.”

Amanda F. Guardado ’10, who attended last night’s event, said she believes that “women’s issues in general are not supported enough.”

“Since rape is a huge problem, not just on a college campus, but also worldwide, I feel like we should take every step possible to prevent it,” said Guardado, who is co-chair for publicity of Students for Choice, one of the “Take Back the Night” co-sponsors.