NC State Takes Back the Night

26th Annual Event Demonstrates NC State’s Strong and United Stand Against Sexual Violence

In 1975, Susan Alexander Speeth, a young microbiologist, was stabbed to death by a stranger a block away from her house while walking alone at night in Philadelphia. Citizens rallied together, both there and in many other cities where similar crimes were occurring. In 1977, some of these events became known as Take Back the Night, and soon after, a foundation was formed. Take Back the Night events have given both survivors and supporters an opportunity to speak out against sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and all other forms of sexual violence. Today, the Take Back the Night Foundation provides services and events all over the world.

NC State has been a proud participant of Take Back the Night for 26 years. The NC State Women’s Center held its annual TBTN March and Program on Monday, March 25, 2013, beginning at the Women’s Center in Harrelson Hall, and culminating in Witherspoon Student Center. Opening speakers included Joanne Woodard, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity; Sergeant Bill Davis, NC State Police Department, Angel Bowers, Coordinator of Outreach Services at the NC State Counseling Center; and Justine Hollingshead, Director of NC State’s GLBT Center. The program also featured performances by NC State a capella groups Ladies in Red and Grains of Time.

Speakers from InterAct, a non-profit agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, told personal stories of survival. The podium was also open to anyone who wished to speak. The program closed with a candlelight vigil to honor survivors and a call to action from Elaine Chavis of Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Braxton Jackson of the Kappa Lambda, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who spoke about how being an ally to those in need helps stop sexual violence.

The NC State Women’s Center offers confidential advocacy and support as well as a 24-hour anonymous Relationship and Sexual Violence Phone (RSVP) line at (919) 618-RAPE (7273). Please see the Women’s Center website for more information.

The Women's Center is seeking applications for the position of Rape Prevention Coordinator. The Rape Prevention Education (RPE) Coordinator is responsible for coordinating educational programming for students, faculty, and staff related to primary prevention of sexual violence and works primarily on educational programs that prevent sexual violence from initially occurring within the NC State University community. Please see the job posting for additional information.

NC State's National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) is recruiting facilitators. The NCBI Team is looking for committed faculty, staff, and students who are willing to make a difference. NCBI is a nonprofit leadership training organization based in Washington, D.C. Since 1984, NCBI has been working to eliminate prejudice and inter-group conflict in communities throughout the world. To learn more about NCBI at NC State, visit our website. If you are interested in becoming a member of this excellent team, plan to attend our Potential Team Member Information Meeting on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 11:30AM in the 1911 Building, Room 129.

The Social Equity Leadership Conference will be held on June 5-7, 2013 at NC State. The conference theme is "Globally Engaged, Locally Responsible: New Challenges for Social Equity." Featured speakers are H. George Frederickson and Marc Holzer. To learn more and register, please see the SELC website.