Content warning for mentions of sexual assault.
The University of Connecticut’s Women’s Center hosted its annual “Take Back the Night” event in solidarity of sexual assault victim-survivors in the Student Union Ballroom on April 22. The theme of this year’s “Take Back the Night” was metamorphosis, as depicted with butterflies on the printed shirt design.
Women’s Center student employee Nala Davis hosted the event with fellow employee Marie Sajaw as co-host. Davis began the event formally after people got settled at the decorated tables by calling the event “a space to reclaim our stories.”
Davis then introduced some ground rules, citing the Vegas rule that what’s said in the space, stays in the space. She also said, “The biggest emphasis that we want to push is self-care.”
Davis then briefly delved into the “herstory” of “Take Back the Night,” saying it was one of the first movements surrounding sexual violence prevention starting in the 1970s.
Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies professor at UConn Stamford M. Mick Powell gave the keynote speech. They said, “As I prepared for tonight, I couldn’t forget that it’s been 10 years since my last ‘Take Back the Night’ at UConn.”
They then said the return to this event “made me have to reflect on the ways I have changed, even in subtle ways,” tying into the theme of metamorphosis. They mentioned how “Take Back the Night” reminds them of people being bombed, detained, abducted or otherwise unable to be free.
Powell ended their speech by citing the Black bisexual survivor poet June Jordan’s “Intifada Incantation: Poem #8 for b.b.L,” prefacing it as a love poem.
There were then interactive icebreakers at each of the tables, and attendees could hover to the activities that speak to them the most. Activities included sign-making, writing letters— especially to your younger self—a paper chain of affirmations and positive messages, a place to yap, painting clay plant pots and cutting out paper butterflies.
Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) facilitator Kayla Obolo said in an interview, “VAWPP is about creating a safe community for students from different walks of life. We go around first-year classes teaching Consent 201, the UConn consent definition and talk about power dynamics, abuse of power versus given, boundaries within relationships and we discuss healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to navigate those.”
Fellow VAWPP facilitator Harley Niger added “love bombing,” or the manipulative act of being unrealistically nice to take advantage of someone—especially if they are emotionally vulnerable and need affection—to that list of subjects mentioned in facilitations. In addition to the icebreakers, there were sexual assault-related resources with representatives tabling.
Dani Gordon, an intern with CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said the main focuses of the organization are policy, education, advocacy and training. It also offers victim-survivors’, immigrants’ and LGBTQ+ services.
Regarding the alliance’s origin, Gordon said, “It started way back in like 1979 or that era. They didn’t like what the current group was doing, so they started with different organizations. It wasn’t necessarily started with politicians but by regular people.”
Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Eastern Connecticut representative Lianne Marsella said, “We provide and confidential counseling and advocacy services for survivors of sexual assault. United Services representative Paige Briggs said that the organization is “the first point of contact for victims and survivors to then be connected.”
When asked about what the intake form for victim-survivors was, Brigg said, “The intake is ultimately what the victim or survivor wants to share” and after, they determine what resources and programs could best support the clients. They have contacts and connections to many different services and programs designed to support victim-survivors, such as CT Safe.
The UConn Undergraduate Student Government Student Services committee representative, Jibreel Akbar, says the committee focuses on pressing issues such as “sexual and mental health, accessibility, transportation and housing insecurity.” The committee works extensively with Student Health and Wellness and wants to make all student groups communities aware that these resources exist and can be used effectively and equally.
There was then an open mic section where attendees could open up about their experiences.
Reconvening, Davis said, “Having spaces like this really heals my heart.” Sajaw then read Megan S.’ “Metamorphosis: A Poem of Hope and Healing.” A standout line was “From ashes we rise, painful memories, with hope and love.”
Attendees then went on a march around campus to show support for victim-survivors.
In closing, Sajaw said “Your commitment to victims and survivors speaks volumes.” Sajaw then gave Davis a bouquet of flowers and a card. Davis said, “The Women’s Center has been such a huge part of me, and it feels like I’m leaving a part of me.”
Mya Julian, an eighth-semester sustainable plant and soil systems student, said in an interview, “Believe everyone’s stories and give people power.”
In an interview earlier in the day, Davis said, “It takes a lot of different people to make this possible. It’s important to have this space so that people can know they’re not alone for their own healing processes.”
She continued, “We hope that as many people as possible attend this ‘Take Back the Night’ tonight and in the future.”