Radford Take's Back the Night
| Published 10/15/04

Graphic by: Allen Blickle

For one night a year, you can take back that one night that changed your life. For many RU students, this is one of the biggest supporting events they have. Take Back the Night is in support of sexual assault victims and previous substance abusers.

This was a chance for those who have been the victims of sexual assault and substance abusers who have become clean to step out andremember what happened that night, and reflect in order to move on. Needless to say, something as big as this one can not get over in a short period of time, but it's more about reflecting and bringing acceptance to yourself and realizing it was not your fault.

The event started out in Preston Auditorium after Mike Domitrz lecture at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Domitrz's lecture, titled "Can I kiss you?" included information about how his sister was raped in 1989, and the importance of asking first. Following Domitrz's lecture, Take Back the Night included a walk around campus like previous years and ended on Heth Tartan Plaza with more speakers that discussed how these topics have affected their lives.

The event was not just an event for victims of these pasts, but for family and friends who have been there for someone who has either been sexually assaulted or was a previous substance abuser. This was a chance for those who have been through it to look around and see that so many other people have been there as well and gives a sense of support.

Sexual assaults happen at all times of day and all over the world and the numbers keep rising. Same with substance abusers, the numbers are reaching higher levels everyday. Take Back the Night gave support to those who have been through it, and gave those who have not the realization of how serious each issue is.