Take Back the Night
Thursday, April 25
- Candlelight Vigil Service: 6 pm; Grotto
- March around campus: 6:30 pm
- Speak Out: 7 pm; South Dining Hall - Hospitality Room
- Hospitality (free t-shirts, dinner and musical performances) at the conclusion of the Speak Out
Notre Dame and Saint Mary's are joining together, through the Belles Against Violence Office and the Gender Relations Center, to sponsor this event in solidarity with the National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Men Against Violence and SOS of the Family Justice Center are also helping plan the event.
Saint Mary's will hold a special kick-off at 5:30 pm at Lake Marian to encourage Saint Mary's students to walk over to the Grotto together.
Rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and domestic violence are often labeled “crimes of silence” because of low reporting rates and social discomfort with their public discussion. The purpose of Take Back the Night is literally for men and women to break the silence surrounding this violence with voices of prayer, chanting and the sharing of stories. It also gives the community an opportunity to do something publicly that takes a stand against the violence of rape and sexual assault done to people in the Notre Dame and Saint Mary's community.
Survivors, allies and all other men and women in the Notre Dame and Saint Mary's community are invited to attend.