CLEVELAND, Miss. — The Delta State University Department of Student Affairs and the Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are teaming up for “Take Back the Night” on the DSU campus Wednesday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. The host of the event will be student volunteer Lauryn Evans of Greenwood. There will be poetry and spoken word presentations relating to sexual assault experiences, as well as encouragement for those who feel silenced by their experience.
Evans said, “’Take Back the Night’ is an experience we need in order to get together as a community to stop sexual assault and any sexual encounters in an unwanted capacity. I hope that by joining together for a common goal consistently, we can build a great union that will develop strong actions that could reduce and hopefully stop sexual assault.” Tameka Curry-Bryant, Director of Engagement and Advocacy and Title IX Coordinator, said, “’Take Back the Night’ creates a platform for us to highlight sexual assault and to also give people an opportunity to gather to speak on sexual assault awareness. This platform gives us a chance to show that there are advocates for those who have been victims, whether they are male or female.”
As a counterpart to “Take Back the Night” the Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be conducting the Clothesline project on the quad from April 4-6, to allow personal expression and encouragement. Michelle Johansen, Coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said, “I hope that our student body will come together to show support by taking the opportunity to express their thoughts and empathy as well as share inspiration. We hope to spread positivity and demonstrate unity to end sexual assault, not only on campus but globally with the Take Back the Night Foundation.”
Curry-Bryant, a former law enforcement officer, said, “We hope to accomplish more awareness overall. We want the students to be aware that these things do happen here on campus. It’s not just a community thing where it happens in municipalities. There are a lot of instances where they happen on campuses. We also want to create a solid platform for people to join in with others who are survivors of any form of sexual assault and let them know that there is a support system here on campus.” On April 5, students will have a candlelight vigil and a march to symbolize victims taking their voice back and becoming survivors. This year’s theme is “Shatter the Silence: Take Back the Night, Take Back Your Voice.” Following the march, the event will conclude with a cookout on the quad.
In the event of rain, the program will be moved to the Stateroom, located on the first floor of the H.L. Nowell Union. If you have any questions or feedback regarding the events, contact Tameka Curry-Bryant at tcurry@deltastate.edu or Michelle Johansen at mjohansen@deltastate.edu.
