Catholic Charities hosts Take Back the Night rally Thursday
NORWICH – Last year, Catholic Charities of Chenango County decided to hold its first Take Back the Night rally to recognize the issue of violence against women and to take a stand against it. This Thursday will mark the return of the event.
The roots of Take Back the Night rallies go back to 1877, when women protested the fear and violence they experienced on the streets of London. The first rally was held in 1976, and by 1978, the event had made it to the United States.
Today, Take Back the Night rallies are held in communities internationally, and most offer victims of sexual assault a chance to talk about their experience. “It gives people the chance to publicly affirm the transition from victim to survivor,” said Rape Crisis Counselor Beth Neuland of Catholic Charities.
From last year to this year, Neuland explained, Catholic Charities has tried to build up public support for this year’s event, including the support of students at Morrisville State’s Norwich campus, where the event occurs. “We’re looking for public support. We want this event to grow. We’d like to see more participation from the student body and the community at large,” Neuland said. Approximately 30 people attended last year’s event.
“Sexual violence crimes are generally crimes of silence,” Neuland said. “We gather together at the rally, both victims and non-victims come together to break the silence and take back the night.”
This year’s rally will begin in the community room at Morrisville State’s Norwich Branch Campus. Student Traci Buckley will sing, and an interfaith prayer will be given by Tom Olsen, the head of the interfaith council. Speakers will include Sergeant Patrick Blenis of the Norwich City Police Department and Anne Brightsen of Catholic Charities. A time for survivor testimony or the testimony of a friend or family member of a survivor will also be provided. Neuland explained that while time will be allotted for survivor testimony, no one will be pushed to share their experience. “It is hard and we understand that,” she said. If no survivors wish to speak, video equipment will be available to show testimony of others via the web.
Following the rally, those in attendance will be invited to march from the college to the Chenango County Courthouse, where there will be a candle light vigil.
The rally will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the college. Both the rally and the march will be held rain or shine. “We learned a lot from last year’s event,” Neuland said. “Hopefully this year will be even better.”
The roots of Take Back the Night rallies go back to 1877, when women protested the fear and violence they experienced on the streets of London. The first rally was held in 1976, and by 1978, the event had made it to the United States.
Today, Take Back the Night rallies are held in communities internationally, and most offer victims of sexual assault a chance to talk about their experience. “It gives people the chance to publicly affirm the transition from victim to survivor,” said Rape Crisis Counselor Beth Neuland of Catholic Charities.
From last year to this year, Neuland explained, Catholic Charities has tried to build up public support for this year’s event, including the support of students at Morrisville State’s Norwich campus, where the event occurs. “We’re looking for public support. We want this event to grow. We’d like to see more participation from the student body and the community at large,” Neuland said. Approximately 30 people attended last year’s event.
“Sexual violence crimes are generally crimes of silence,” Neuland said. “We gather together at the rally, both victims and non-victims come together to break the silence and take back the night.”
This year’s rally will begin in the community room at Morrisville State’s Norwich Branch Campus. Student Traci Buckley will sing, and an interfaith prayer will be given by Tom Olsen, the head of the interfaith council. Speakers will include Sergeant Patrick Blenis of the Norwich City Police Department and Anne Brightsen of Catholic Charities. A time for survivor testimony or the testimony of a friend or family member of a survivor will also be provided. Neuland explained that while time will be allotted for survivor testimony, no one will be pushed to share their experience. “It is hard and we understand that,” she said. If no survivors wish to speak, video equipment will be available to show testimony of others via the web.
Following the rally, those in attendance will be invited to march from the college to the Chenango County Courthouse, where there will be a candle light vigil.
The rally will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the college. Both the rally and the march will be held rain or shine. “We learned a lot from last year’s event,” Neuland said. “Hopefully this year will be even better.”
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