Take Back the Night Will Spread Awareness of Violence against Women Nov. 7-11

Next week, Take Back the Night (TBTN), an annual campaign spearheaded by Association of Lafayette Feminists (ALF) to end violence against women, will feature artistic performances, speakers, panel discussions on sexual assault, and a candlelight vigil and march from the circle in Easton to and around campus.

“Remember My Name” bracelets are being sold for $1 at every TBTN event and during lunch in Farinon College Center this week, continuing today in Marquis Hall and in Farinon Friday. Names of women who died from domestic violence are written on each bracelet from a list compiled by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence each year. The bracelets are made in a joint effort with Association for Lafayette Feminists and Alpha Phi sorority.

The name bracelets give supporters the opportunity to educate the public and demonstrate the reality of the cause. Turning Point, a local women’s crisis center, coordinated the “Remember My Name” project and will receive all proceeds from bracelet sales.

“Take Back the Night benefits the campus by addressing the community issue of violence against women. By having events that focus on education on sexual violence, as well as brainstorming and action on how to prevent it, Association of Lafayette Feminists is encouraging community involvement to end violence against women,” says Danielle Pollaci ’06 (Trenton, N.J.), ALF secretary and TBTN coordinator. “We also realize that sexual violence does not just pertain to our campus, but is also a larger issue that spans our nation and our world.”

The schedule of events:

• Monday, Nov. 7 — “Take Back the Mic” performance by singer Arlene McCane and selected readings from Lafayette poets, 8:30-10 p.m., Snack Bar, Farinon College Center.
• Tuesday, Nov. 8 — “Beer, Sex, and Pizza” panel discussion made up of students, administrators, and faculty to address sexual assault at Lafayette, led by civil engineering major Bradley Knote ’06 (Southold, N.Y.), ALF treasurer, 12:15-1 p.m., Interfaith Chapel, Hogg Hall. Pizza and root beer will be provided.
• Self-defense workshop for women and men, 4-5 p.m., Allan P. Kirby Sports Center, room 229.
• Wednesday, Nov. 9 — Reception for Phile Chionesu, organizer of the Million Woman March in Philadelphia, 5:30-6:30 p.m., David A. Portlock Black Cultural Center. Dinner is free; Indian food will be served.
• “Origins of Violence against Women and its Impact on Women of Color” lecture by Phile Chionesu, 7-8 p.m., Limburg Theater, Farinon College Center.
• Thursday, Nov. 10 — “Addressing Violence Against Women on the Grassroots Level” brown bag lecture. A speaker from Turning Point will discuss the group’s work and the importance of distinguishing violence against women from family violence or sexual violence, 12:15-1 p.m., Interfaith Chapel, Hogg Hall. Lunch will be provided.
• TBTN candlelight vigil and march including performances by members of Cadence (female a capella), Writing Organization Reaching Dynamic Students (W.O.R.D.S.), and other student artists, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March will start at Center Square and end on campus.
• Speak out/discussion on events of TBTN and violence against women, 9-10 p.m., Interfaith Chapel, Hogg Hall.

Events are sponsored by ALF, W.O.R.D.S., the Counseling Center, Lafayette Environmental Awareness and Protection, Lafayette Activities Forum, Hillel Society, Association of Black Collegians, NIA, AYA, the women’s studies program, Office of Intercultural Development, Delta Upsilon fraternity, and Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Phi sororities.

Pollaci, a double major in English and international affairs, is a McKelvy House Scholar, participating in a program that brings together Lafayette students with a wide range of majors and interests to reside in a historic off-campus house and share in intellectual and social activities, including dinner discussions that engage the students in debate and exchange of ideas. Last year she spent the fall in the Peace and Conflict Resolution division of the Washington Semester Program at American University in Washington, D.C., which included studying abroad in the Balkans. She is also president of Students for Social Justice and a board member of ALF.

The only nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of domestic violence in the Lehigh Valley, Turning Point educates and supports abuse victims to help them discover and tap into their strengths and abilities. In 2001, the agency served 3,700 victims of domestic violence. To access Turning Point’s services, call its 24-hour hotline, (610) 437-3369.