Those passing by the L.P. Young Student Center this past Wednesday, April 15, were greeted by a huddle of fluffy, smiling dogs and the sound of fidgets clacking as the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention hosted their annual Take Back The Night event.
The event was hosted for Sexual Assault Awareness Month to provide survivors a safe space to share their experiences and bond with one another. Bekki Dawson, a black, queer survivor who works as a domestic violence and sexual assault counselor in Massachusetts, and Savory Soulless, a drag performer who frequently performs at Madame Sherri’s, were featured speakers of the night.
Feminist Collective, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club and the Outing Club each tabled at the event and a variety of snacks and beverages, including a fruit plate and iced tea, were served. Monadnock Therapy Pets had four dogs featured for attendees to engage with.
“‘Take Back The Night’ is a national movement started in 2001, and it’s really about ‘taking back the night’ and empowering folks to feel safe in the darkness,” said Catt Workman, program director for the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) and sexual violence prevention specialist. “With sexual assault, survivors can often turn inward and it can be a really dark time when they are on their healing journey, so bringing light to that builds community and solidarity. It’s about letting them know they aren’t alone.”
When asked about the specific features of the event, Workman said they were chosen to aid in the heaviness attendees may have been carrying at an event like Take Back The Night.
“For this kind of event, survivors are sharing lived experience and testimony, and with any event like that we like to make sure we have a good balance, so that’s why we have the therapy pets here,” Workman said. “We have confidential resources available, so if anyone is triggered we have that resource. We also have the sensory table with fidgets and sidewalk chalk.”
Workman said the OVW was very excited to partner with the clubs that tabled at the event.
“We have the Start by Believing Pledge Drive for the entire month, and people can get in touch with me to take that pledge. Both faculty and students can take it,” Workman said when asked about what other events the Office is planning to put on before the semester ends. “Then next week also on the Student Center lawn, we’re handing out and collecting donated denim in preparation for Denim Day on the 29th, which is another international campaign.”
Denim Day is an annual event where people wear jeans to protest victim-blaming and raise awareness for sexual violence against women.
Jewel Mellor, a junior majoring in construction management, said she was made aware of Take Back The Night through her work for the OVW.
“I’m really happy with the speaker that came out. Hearing a local activist speak was a nice conversation starter,” Mellor said. “Outside of that, it’s also really nice to have the dogs.”
Mellor noted that she was particularly thankful for the groups that came out to table for the event.
“I also really enjoyed hearing the speaker; it made it feel like a more cohesive event,” Erin Plummer, a senior attendee, said. “The therapy dogs are definitely pulling more people in.”
When asked what she would say to survivors on campus, Mellor said Keene State does a good job with providing resources for people who need them.
“I think it’s important to recognize that [KSC] puts a lot of effort forth to have someone there for you when you need it. A lot of people feel talking about [sexual violence] is a very intimate thing. The Office is very helpful.”
Anyone looking for resources or support can reach out to Catt Workman at catherine.workman@keene.edu. Additionally, KSC’s Sexual Violence Prevention Virtual Resource Center can be accessed at https://www.keene.edu/office/svprc/.
Serena Taylor can be contacted at
staylor@kscequinox.com
