Feminist Collective Takes back the night

The Feminist Collective hosted their second annual "Take Back the Night" event on Thursday, Nov. 5.  "Take Back the Night" represents the efforts of women taking back the power to control their own lives despite past incidents of violence inflicted upon them. 

"Take Back the Night" is also about creating a safe space for survivors of violence.  The event began with guest speaker Dr. Anne Russo, professor of women's and gender studies at DePaul University, who discussed ten ways to prevent violence. One way to end violence, as Russo described, was to challenge not only ourselves but to interrupt and challenge the conditions that perpetuate violence. Bringing up the topic of violence in everyday conversation is also a way to raise awareness and end the silence and stigma.

"It's really important to create a dialogue," said Russo.  Having a communal space to share stories and talk about the experiences survivors have also helps to make sure survivors do not feel like they are alone and creates a support systemRusso discussed how having a group of people who "have experienced violence, resisted violence, transformed lives because of their experience...and even those who have perpetrated violence and have changed their behavior..." would be a way to get the different perspectives and share the experiences of violence.

The mobilization of bystanders of violence was another way people could get involved and do something about stopping the action from taking place.  It was then discussed how most people who have been bystanders felt that they were not prepared and did not know what to do.  It was advised that if one was to see somebody harming another person, then do something, whether it be yelling, calling the police or even getting involved in the situation.

Communities can also help by organizing collective responses by using community organizing to end violence. By having these community campaigns it could raise awareness about violence and reduce occurrences, since it would be known that in that particular community violence will not be tolerated.  "When violence happens within a university for instance, thinking about how the institution itself may be responsible for perpetuating that violence [is important]," said Russo when explaining how individuals could help reduce the occurrence of violence by making institutional violence or institution accountability more visible.

Members of the Young Women's Action Team (YWAT) were also present to discuss their findings of sexual harassment on the public transit system in Chicago. They explained how they passed out over 500 surveys and were surprised with the results that included violent incidents. 

After the research had been collected one of the members said that they contacted the media, "...because we learned that if the public [knew] then it [would be] harder to shut it down.»  They also spoke with the head of security and were able to create a code specifically for reporting any type of sexual harassment situations that may arise, since there was none prior to the meeting.

"Take Back the Night" concluded with the "speak out" and candle lit march around campus.  There were many women who spoke about their experiences with sexual assault and other forms of violence, but one speaker captured the spirit of the event by claiming that people have to "rise up, and keep on moving."  The Feminist Collective meets Tuesdays during activity hour in Lech Walesa Hall (formerly the Classroom Building) in room 2056.  For more information, contact Dr. Laurie Fuller or email the Feminist Collective at neiufeministcollective@gmail.com.