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Posted on Thu, Apr 5, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.

34 years later, Take Back the Night still bringing attention to rape, sexual assault

By Janet Miller

Editor's note: A statistic cited in the fourth paragraph has been corrected.

In 1978, Ann Arbor City Councilwoman Sabra Briere marched in Ann Arbor’s first Take Back the Night Rally, demanding safe streets and bringing attention to victims of sexual assault. That first year, it was a way to bring rape victims out of the shadow of shame and into the public light.

Thirty-four years later, Briere was doing the exact same thing when the annual Take Back the Night march and rally was held on a blustery Thursday night. It is, she told about 150 people gathered on the University of Michigan Diag — women and men, college students and community members, children and dogs decked in Take Back the Night T-shirts — not easy to bring about change.

“It shows how difficult it is to change our culture and not just settle for good enough,” Briere said. “We have really only won the battle when we all can walk alone on any street at any time and feel safe.”

There’s continues to be a long way to go. Someone somewhere in America is sexually assaulted every two minutes, said Lea Donoghue, sexual assault and legal advocate and counselor at Safe House, which offers support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“People don’t understand all the barriers survivors face reporting an assault,” Donoghue said. “The court system is not friendly to victims.”

Because most rapes go unreported, the public doesn’t understand how common it is, she said.

Along with U-M Students Against Rape, Pam Swider, founder of Michigan Takes Back the Night, has organized the rally four years. In addition to music, dance and speeches, there was a 1.6-mile drumming and chanting march through campus and the streets of Ann Arbor, stopping for a moment of silence on Thompson Street to remember those who did not survive sexual assault, and then back to the Diag where a candlelight vigil was held.

A rape survivor herself, Swider said Take Back the Night not only brings awareness to sexual assault, it’s a way to empower survivors by erasing the shame that frequently comes from being a victim. “I want people to know there is help out there, that you don’t need to be ashamed, that you can get through it and that it doesn’t have to stop your life,” she said.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy. It took a few years after the 1995 attack to move forward, she said. “I blamed myself, I felt terrorized and I didn’t trust people,” she said. “(The rally) empowers me, knowing that I help people get through this. I get a lot of strength from it.”

Survivors at Thursday night's rally could wear teal-colored arm bands while counselors in the crowd wore white arm bands.

Meghan Gallagher, the evening’s MC, was attending her sixth Ann Arbor Take Back the Night rally, helping to plan the last four. She has friends and family members who are sexual assault survivors. The rally, she said, “allows us to raise our voices. A lot of survivors are used to being silenced.”

She said it is especially important to get the word out to students on campus. “There’s not a lot of recognition among students on what the options are. There’s a lot of shame and it’s very hard for survivors to come forward,” Gallagher said.

Some of the most telling moments of the rally went unspoken. Participants were asked to write a message on a couple dozen helium-filled balloons that were later released. Some of the messages were heart-breaking. “I want to let go of my hatred for my attacker,” one said. “Mom, thank you for being strong,” said another. And there was this: “Steve: You stole my best friend.”

Comments

Patti Smith

Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.

Seriously? Why is it that every time there is anything even remotely pro-woman, we have to stand up and defend how we are not being "anti-man"? It's not "misandry" to support women or to suggest that men stop raping (!!). If there was any an article about people marching against the rash of recent break-ins, I sincerely doubt anyone would whine about "false reports of break ins", but whenever rape is mentioned, at least one person pops up to remind us all that false reports happen. And while I agree with the idea of girls having CCWs and being able to defend themselves (I am in both categories, myself), I would also like us to teach our sons to not rape. That would go a lot further to solve the problem.

Meg

Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 1:59 a.m.

As a survivor I personally am thankful that these types of events continue to go on. Not once at the event did the speakers say that the rally would end sexual assault. What they did say was that the event would raise awareness, educate, and be a place for survivors and supporters to come together. Rape is something that is so incredibly lonely, and has so much shame attached to it. If survivors can see that they are not alone in recovering from this, and that there are people who support them, then this journey would be a little less painful. If you actually looked at the pictures you would see that there were many men in the crowd marching in support, and there are also men on the planning committee. The organization does not demonize men, but appreciates those that support this cause because sexual assault is not a women's problem or a feminist problem, but a human problem that affects us all. Nowhere at the event did any of the speakers portray that they hated males. In fact the keynote speaker addressed all survivors: men, women, and in between. The people that should be carrying the shame are the perpetrators of these crimes. As for the argument of self defense, this specific organization does hold a campus safety event in the fall where prevention and awareness is taught. But, the reality of the situation is that over half of the people who are assaulted know their assailants. There are many situations where self defense does not work. Seven year olds can not carry weapons and can not defend themselves against grown adults, people who are drugged, or intoxicated again will not have the ability to defend themselves, a lot of people trust the people who assault them, and some go into shock during an assault and can not fight back. So while it is great that you want to teach your daughters and sons how to defend themselves, ultimately this crime can happen to the most prepared person in the world.

Rosarium

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.

The irony is that many of these women actually behave like men in terms of personality and aggression.

sh1

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.

How is that ironic?

Survivor of Violence

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 12:11 p.m.

First of all, false reporting of rapes does not occur any more often than false reports of other crimes. Problem is most of the time that happens in high profile cases. And those people who report a false crime should also be punished. Secondly, this event is not a male bashing event . Those who organize it welcome and encourage men to be involved. In fact, there are MEN on the planning committee. We recognize that men are also victims of this violence. And that men are an integral part of the solution. We do NOT hate men, but we hate molesters, people who put their need for power over everything else, and people who hate others just because they are different. By the way – the Patriarchy sign was not one from the organizers of this event, but one from another group. Thirdly, the police that assisted with the march were PAID FOR by the organization that put the event on and were officers that were called in specifically to help out with this event. The cops are HAPPY to help out since they know how important this is. Finally, so the solution to stop violence is more violence? 2/3 of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. U.S. Department of Justice. 2005 National Crime Victimization Study. And a fully trained martial artist could still be attacked. What about the rapist who takes advantage of someone who is drunk? Prevention lies in education and people not blaming the victim for the crime, but the perpetrator. It is this type of ignorance that proves we still need to hold these type of events.

Chase Ingersoll

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:04 a.m.

If these gals were really serious about reducing rapes and assaults they would look to concealed carry and ways to ensure that more women receive defense and weapons training. I'm telling my little Pooki, that she is not allowed to date until she has passed a close quarters, hand to hand combat course that includes defensive weapons training, such as how to use pepper spray, where to smack a guy with your smart phone, and how to take out an eyeball with a car key. Pooki....my little warrior princes, she shall be. Chase Ingersoll

jns131

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.

I think my Pooki wold love to meet yours. Mine can handle herself very well as well. Sounds like two little girls who will take on the world. Great job.

cinnabar7071

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.

Sounds like your little Pooki will do just fine in life. You're a good Father.

Pizza Man

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 5:06 a.m.

I was out tonight and saw the march for the most part. I could not believe the number of police they had tied up for this march. There were no less then 5 cop cars at a time. One driving behind the marchers, and up to 4 blocking the intersections ahead. I really wish some of those officers could be on patrol in the down town are instead of dealing with the march. I am sure that the police were pissed for having to cover this event. Oh well, what are you going do?

SPIKE ROBERSON

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 9:08 a.m.

Apparently, we are supposed to subsidize this exercise in Feminist Angst as taxpayers and feel guilty about our gender. "We have really only won the battle when we all can walk alone on any street at any time and feel safe." REALLY? I'm in Tokyo right now and that's about as close as you're gonna get. I can take a walk in parts of Ysilanti when I return and virtually guarantee myself a violent assault; I can take a walk in certain areas of Detroit and virtually guarantee that I'll be shot. Violence is not the issue anymore when you carry signs that read "OCCUPY THE PATRIARCHY." I venture to say that the people who have organized this thing for 34-years wouldn't be satisfied if all men were castrated and forced to pay a gender-tax.

SPIKE ROBERSON

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:29 a.m.

This is what modern Feminism has come to; demonizing men in general. I would go on at some length about false accusations of sexual assault against men that later proved to be groundless but let me mention just one: The Duke Lacrosse Team scandal of a few years ago. The Accuser was never named in the media because of the "stigma" attached to being a "victim." There was never any substance to her charges and quite a bit that didn't add up, and yet a dozen innocent young men were slandered, driven from campus and forced to fight a long and expensive legal battle to prove their innocence. Jesse Jackson came to town to condemn the event and give a scholarship to Crystal Mangum--a name and face we only know now because long after her accusations were proven lies, she murdered her boyfriend with a knife. Take back the night? From who? I don't own it any more than you do.

sh1

Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.

I am perplexed by your using this venue to complain about your idea of feminism. Our city had a rash of stranger-rapes last summer, and anything that brings attention to safety and prevention is more sensible than political.