The University of Michigan Dearborn hosts a Take Back the Night rally annually, sponsored by the Women's Resource Center, the Women's and Gender Studies Department, Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL), as well as any other organization on campus wanting to be involved.
Take Back the Night is an international event and nonprofit organization. Its goal is to end sexual, relationship, and domestic violence in all shapes and forms regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or any other intersection. Events have been held in over 30 countries and serve as an opportunity for victims and supporters of victims to tell their stories in a safe, inclusive space and heal collectively as a group with support and shared experiences.
This year's campus event brought together an incredible array of people, resources, and student groups, including: the campus Women's Resource Center, Women in Learning and Leadership, Student Government, Campus Counseling Services, Campus Public Safety, campus PRIDE, College Panhellenic Council, and the campus Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights group. There were also outside resources present, including Haven, Ruth Ellis Center, Wayne County Safe, and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC).
The evening was one of learning, storytelling, rallying, support, and healing, and was filled with powerful moments. Here's 16 of them, for those who missed it, were unable to come, or simply want to relive and rekindle their fire for sexual assault prevention. If you want to relive the march, visit WILL's Facebook page.
1. I'm a conqueror. I am here.
2. “I believe there is hope for kindness and love and the need for consent.”
We are here. We matter. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
3. It could be anybody in this room right now.
4. “We declare that all human beings have the right to live their lives free from violence.”
These things shouldn't need saying.
5. 11,341 bodies. No closure for their families.
In Detroit alone. Just let that sink in.
6. We allow a criminal justice system that does not take these cases seriously.
Why else do cases such as Brock Turner happen?
7. “I should not have to apologize to a cop for hiking on a hiking trail in the middle of the day.”
8. Our education system plays a part. Our universities, colleges, and schools are reflective of our larger societies. The statistics are wrong. Victims are discouraged from reporting to keep statistics clean.
Does your campus claim it's the safest? There's more to it than you think.
9. There is something deeper in our system that needs to change. We are all affected by this.
10. Hold your community accountable.
We are stronger together.
11. Believe them.
12. I can't believe how many people have slipped through the cracks and we will never know.
Voices are silenced constantly.
13. Survivors are still being silenced everyday. Perpetrators are still not all being prosecuted.
14. Be aware of who makes these comments. Be aware that every aspect of our lives perpetuates rape culture.
Locker room talk, anyone? Call it out when you see it. Call it out when you hear it. Just. Call. It. Out.