In order to raise awareness about sexual violence and abuse at Tufts and address stereotypes surrounding these issues, the Tufts Feminist Alliance (TFA), with the help of the Women's Center, is hosting a Take Back the Night forum tonight at 8 p.m. in Eaton 201, which will be followed by a rally and candlelight vigil.
Take Back the Night is an event that seeks to end violence and discrimination against women, with specific emphasis on sexual violence and abuse. It is internationally observed, but there is no universal date on which it is held.
"[The event] is called 'Take Back the Night' because night is a time of vulnerability for women," Interim Director of the Women's Center Susan Gilbert said.
According to Gilbert, who is involved in the planning of the event, nighttime is especially threatening for women because incidents of sexual violence typically occur after the sun goes down.
"The idea is for women to reclaim the night - to feel safe at night walking around campus, walking to their cars, or at parties," she said.
This year's Take Back the Night will begin with a student-led forum and will examine the repercussions on survivors, witnesses and perpetrators of sexual violence and abuse, according to Elaine Theodore, the coordinator of Tufts' Violence Prevention Program.
"It is an interactive critical thinking session about how we [look at] the issue in relation to the Tufts community," she said.
As such, students will perform a series of tableaus that represent different forms of sexual violence and abuse, ranging from potential harassment to more serious assault. According to Theodore, the forum is "interactive" because attendees will be asked to take part in the resolutions of each of the scenarios.
Participants will then organize a rally and move to the Tisch Library roof, where written accounts of sexual violence will be read during a candlelight vigil. Attendees will also be invited to share their own experiences, or those of a loved one or friend.
Essence, an all-female a cappella group, will perform at the vigil.
While the event will focus on abuse and violence at nighttime, it will also address discrimination and violence against women in other scenarios, such as in the classroom or walking down the street, sophomore and Tufts Feminist Alliance Co-Chair Amanda Harris said.
Likewise, discussion will not be limited to man-on-woman violence or abuse, according to Theodore. One of the scenarios in the forum will specifically address the issue in the framework of LGBT relationships, she said.
Last year's rally hit a record of 90 attendees, but Theodore said that participation from male students has traditionally been low.
"I feel strongly that they are part of the solution and need to feel that they have the power to impact the issue," she said. "This is an issue that transcends race, class, ethnicity; it affects everyone equally."
