Text by Danielle Mayorga, Take Back the Night Co-Chair
A.S. Take Back the Night is a committee committed to changing our campus climate in terms of sexual violence and assault.
This committee works to not only raise awareness and prevention efforts, but to promote survivor and ally empowerment through activism. During the 2010-2011 academic year, Take Back the Night expanded their committee to include more focused officer positions and also expanded their efforts through new events and projects. This year’s committee included six officers in addition to returning members:
Danielle Mayorga & Laura Luttrell – Co-Chairs
Hannah Carmichael- On Campus Recruitment Coordinator
Judy Chien- Off Campus Recruitment Coordinator
Christine Javier- Publicity Coordinator
Corina Herrera- Finance Coordinator
Jessie Truyol- Member
Travis Taborek- Member
Kadeem Coad- Committee on Committees Liaison
Marilyn Dukes- AS Staff Advisor
Projects
This year, Take Back the Night participated in many outreach efforts throughout campus, including hosting bracelet making at the annual Pardall Carnival, Activity Fair, and Associated Student’s BCC Fair. Take Back the Night also collaborated with Women’s Commission to host film screenings such as North Country and Madea’s Family Reunion, both of which were followed by thoughtful group discussions.
During October, Take Back the Night introduced a new campaign to raise awareness about rape myths and sexual violence. The campaign was a clothesline project display entitled My Halloween Costume is Not an Invitation… The clothesline displayed pieces of Halloween costumes and decorated t-shirts that depicted students’ experiences with sexual assault. Clotheslines were displayed in Davidson Library and the Student Resource Building during the week of Halloween, and along Embarcadero Rd on Saturday night of Halloween weekend.
The campaign was a powerful visual display that brought awareness to the issue that regardless of what someone is wearing, it is not an invitation to grab, touch, harass, or rape them. The campus community seemed to respond very positively to the campaign.
Most of fall quarter was spent planning for the first annual STAND (Strategizing, Training, Advocating, Networking, and Developing) Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Conference. This conference was a collaborative effort between Take Back the Night, Women’s Commission, and the External Vice President of Statewide Affairs. This conference invited sexual and domestic violence organizers from various UC campuses to collectively network, share strategies, and create a statewide coalition for sexual and domestic violence student organizers. Take Back the Night not only played a major role in organizing the conference, but the committee will be essential in selecting UCSB delegates for the SPEAC Against Violence Coalition. Next year, Take Back the Night will support delegates for the coalition and help organize statewide campaigns with other UC organizations.
In February, Take Back the Night members organized a Post-Secret event that was hosted in Santa Catalina residence hall. The event began by introducing guests to facts and debunking myths of sexual violence and assault. Attendees then decorated cards that depicted their experiences with sexual assault. The cards were then anonymously posted in a bulletin board to show the larger community that sexual violence affects many of their peers. Next year, we hope to expand this project to more residence halls.
Take Back the Night’s largest project is April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This year, Take Back the Night teamed up with the Rape Prevention Education Program to collectively put on a month long campaign filled with events that address awareness and prevention of sexual violence. Many other student groups collaborated by hosting a workshop or a film screening, such as Hermanas Unidas and Human Rights Board. This year’s theme was: WE ARE united, WE WILL believe, and WE CAN end it!
Over 800 t-shirts with the campaign slogan were given away during on-campus tabling and at events. Take Back the Night organized a Unite Against Violence Benefit Dinner which showcased various student talents in an effort to raise money to support Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center. Attendees donated $5 for a catered meal, and collectively raised $250 for the Crisis Center. Take Back the Night also presented their newest clothesline project at this event, a clothesline with decorated denim jeans in honor of Denim Days, which is a National Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign.
Take Back the Night brought speaker, writer, activist, and performer Jaclyn Friedman, to speak to the UCSB campus about high profile rape cases and what they mean for our community. The event, hosted in Embarcadero Hall, was Greek accredited and drew 75 attendees. Jaclyn was a dynamic and phenomenal speaker who connected with the audience and offered points of advice for Take Back the Night’s future organizing efforts. We hope to maintain contact with Jaclyn over the following year.
To conclude Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Take Back the Night organized the annual Take Back the Night March and Rally on April 28th in Anisq’oyo Park.
This year’s march and rally showcased local Isla Vista musicians and, as the sun set, Professor Edwina Barvosa inspired and empowered attendees, reminding them why anti-sexual violence work is essential. Together the group marched through Isla Vista and down Del Playa Drive, chanting and urging IV residents to “break the silence and end the violence!”
Upon returning to Anisq’oyo Park, attendees gathered together on the lawn for the most powerful part of the event: survivor testimonials, which inspired many others to join the anti-sexual violence and survivor empowerment work of the Take Back the Night committee.
Funding Requests
Student of Color Conference
Trick or Treat Me Right (Students Stopping Rape & Rape Prevention Education Program)
Stalking Awareness Week (Rape Prevention Education Program)
Plans for the Future
The Take Back the Night committee is committed to working on new strategies and tactics to have a greater impact on the campus community regarding sexual violence prevention, awareness, and survivor empowerment. We hope to continue to reach out to impact more students in the coming years. By creating outreach positions, Take Back the Night committee also hopes to increase committee membership recruitment. With the implementation of the new SPEAC Against Violence Coalition, Take Back the Night plans to be a strong participant and organizer of statewide projects and campaigns within the coalition.