Ask yourself: What are you doing to become an empowered bystander and help end sexual violence? In order to put a stop to rape culture, sexual exploitation and intimidation, everyone needs to become involved and aware.

On Thursday, April 23rd, NJCU’s Speicher-Rubin Women’s Center for Equity and Diversity hosted Take Back the Knight to raise awareness in the community about sexual violence, providing a safe space for survivors of rape and sexual assault to share their stories.

Although the event’s name has been inspired by NJCU’s mascot, The Gothic Knight, it is part of the international event created by the nonprofit organization, Take Back The Night, which began in the U.S. in the early 1970’s and now annually organizes events and marches in over 30 countries worldwide. Take Back the Night’s mission is to raise awareness of women’s safety when walking down public streets, create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives, and end all forms of sexual assault, violence, and abuse.

“Unfortunately, our society does not always make it easy for survivors of rape to come forward with their stories,” says Venida Rodman Jenkins, director of NJCU’s Women’s Center. “Apart from suffering violent assault and abuse, there is often the fear that one will not be believed. We call this revictimization, wherein the survivor may be blamed for what happened to her or him.  They might be questioned about what they were wearing at the time of the attack, or whether or not they were intoxicated, or willing. This kind of social revictimization creates more scars for survivors and scares many victims of sexual violence into silence about what happened to them. Taking Back the Night is an event with a mission to provide a safe space for survivors to share their stories. It’s taking back the power from those individuals who have victimized others, and being empowered to raise our voices to let the community know we are working towards ending the violence.”

The opening program included spoken word, empowering music, and speakers addressing the issue of how vital it is for the community to be involved with ending sexual violence. Speakers included Venida Rodman, student staff and peer educators, and community agencies such as Women Rising and Hudson County’s rape care center, Hudson S.P.E.A.K.S. Against Sexual Violence. Following the speakers was a candlelight vigil and a walk through campus and our surrounding community, which will include chanting. It concluded with an impromptu survivor speak-out, wherein survivors were invited to safely come forward with their stories.

The Speicher-Rubin Women’s Center for Equity and Diversity welcomes all people of all genders. Its doors are opened to all members of the NJCU community to study, research, make friends, and learn about how we as a community can actively help each other end sexual violence and create a safe place for everyone to live and thrive. It is open Mondays-Fridays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.  Phone: (201) 200-3189. Email: [email protected]  Website: www.njcu.edu/womenscenter.