Take Back the Night held its annual vigil in the Amphitheater last night in a culmination of Take Back the Night Week, which aims to raise awareness about sexual assault in the University community.
“The main goals are raising awareness and helping survivors to heal,” Vigil Chair Jenny Anderson said.
At the vigil, survivors were able to speak out about their experiences anonymously, while fellow students and community members sat in support in the Amphitheater, many holding candles. Sexual Assault Resource Agency volunteers were around for survivors to talk to if they needed support, Anderson said.
“When all the candles are there, it’s amazing to see how many people are supporting you,” Anderson said.
The vigil was the final event of the Take Back the Night Week, which began Monday with the “How to Date a Survivor” panel, Anderson said. This was followed by a Sexual Assault Board mock trial Tuesday and a community art project Wednesday.
Vigil co-chair Cristina Liebolt also noted that the Consent Campaign, run by Take Back the Night and the Dean of Students office, was another important event that was held this week. The Consent Campaign aimed to try and make clear to the University community what consent is.
“I think its extremely important especially in a college community,” Dean of Students Allen Groves said. “I think the objective to raise awareness and understanding is very important. And like many things at U.Va., I’m proud of the fact that its primarily student driven.”
Before the vigil yesterday night, University and local community members gathered at a rally at Lee Park in the Downtown Mall and then moved in a march to the Amphitheater. Anderson said the rally’s goal was to empower people before the vigil.
Liebolt said throughout her time at the University, she has seen growing interest and participation in the events.
“Several of my professors have encouraged their classes to come out to the vigil and rally tonight to show their support,” Liebolt said.
Anderson noted that Take Back the Night continues to see participation because it is able to reach out to many people throughout the University community.
“I think it continues today because obviously sexual assault and date violence is still an issue that affects many more people that you’ll ever realize,” she said. “The largest part of the problem is that people don’t talk about it and that its not seen as a problem if people are acquaintances.”
Take Back the Night is a newly formed contracted independent organization, which began this semester and is cosponsored by Feminism is For Everyone and the Sexual Assault Leadership Council, the umbrella organization of sexual assualt-related student groups.
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