Candlelit lanterns flooded Franklin Pierce University’s North Fields Activity Center on Thursday, a symbolic gesture that the campus was taking back the night for survivors of all forms of sexual violence.
The campus was selected as one of 10 “points of light” nationwide to host a Take Back the Night vigil, a yearly event that occurs on the last week of sexual assault awareness month. The vigils, a part of Take Back the Night’s mission to create safe communities and respectful relationships to help end sexual violence, are designed to create a ring around the United States to help shine light on a grim subject.
“It warms my heart to be a part of something so big,” said sophomore Alexis Beberman, one of the event organizers. “As a two-time survivor, this is something that I take to heart. This is not something to be pushed under the rug.”
Thursday’s vigil offered a number of tools, resources, speeches, poems, and even a dance number, all to show victims of sexual violence that they are not alone. In addition to the overwhelming message of support for those who have dealt with sexual violence there was also a declaration: This must stop.
“The night is not owned by predatory men, not owned by perpetrators, not owned by those with malintent,” said FPU professor Donna Decker, the keynote speaker for the event. “The night and the day in the world is ours. It belongs to men and women.”
Two anonymous stories were read at the event, one detailing a young woman’s battle with sexual assault and abuse, another involving an adult male, showing that sexual abuse can happen to anyone. One in three women and one in six men worldwide experience some form of sexual violence, but less than 50 percent of such crimes are reported.
“People don’t talk about this but we need to start,” said senior Jaclyn Flaherty, another event organizer. “I’m not a victim of sexual violence, but I know a lot of people who are. We need to stand up.”
Of all the events that took place during the evening, the most powerful moment was the silent candlelit march, where over 100 students took two laps around the activity center with paper lanterns lit with candles. Many of the lanterns were decorated with phrases like “I am not defined by my past” and “Everyone deserves to be heard.”
“Take back the night is about empowerment and support,” said Nicole Newell, a therapist/counselor for outreach education and counseling at FPU. “Take back the night means that you are not alone. We are all here together to support one another and encourage one another to heal and to find ways in which we can end sexual violence.”
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.