Take Back the Night Seeks to End Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and the University of Mississippi’s National PanHellenic Conference is teaming up with the Violence Prevention Office to host “Take Back the Night”, an event to raise awareness of sexual assault, as a part of their Circle of Sisterhood Week. The event will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Lyceum, weather permitting.

Take Back the Night is a non-profit organization that aims to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives. They seek to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence.

“Take Back the Night is an event that has been going on for quite some time on college campuses as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month,” said Lindsey Bartlett Mosvick, Violence Prevention Coordinator at the University Counseling Center. “The idea behind the event is that folks want to show solidarity with those who experience that violence and pronounce that our campus is a safe and welcoming space.”

The event will have several parts. The first being a short ceremony where speakers will include members of the Interfraternity Council, PanHellenic Council, the Director of the Counseling, and student athletes. After the ceremony, the walk around campus will begin. Following the walk, there will be a speak-out portion where survivors of violence and supporters of the cause can share their thoughts and feelings. The event will end with a candlelight vigil.

During the event, representatives from law enforcement, victim services, and University services will have booths to share resources. There will also be limited refreshments and t-shirts.

Circle of Sisterhood Week is a weeklong event intended to promote sisterhood between all of the sororities on the Ole Miss campus. There have many promotions and activities for everyone to participate in. There were self-defense classes taught by the Oxford Police Department, discounts at The Nail Shop, and an Instagram contest. On Wednesday, 10% of all proceeds from Soulshine Pizza Factory, located on the Oxford Square, will be donated to the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation.

The Circle of Sisterhood Foundation exists to give all sorority women a place where they can stand together across affiliation, age, color, and creed to make a difference in the lives of millions of girls and women around the world. They aim to give girls and women an equal chance for rewarding lives and livelihoods through schooling, the learning of a trade, or even a college degree.

“My whole goal for this year was to incorporate both the Oxford community and the PanHellenic community to better our entire community, said Rebekah Patterson, PanHellenic Executive Council’s Vice-President of Programming. “We want to thank our PanHellenic chapters for their support, while giving back to the entire Greek System, as well as the community as a whole. “

For more information on The University of Mississippi’s National PanHellenic Conference and Circle of Sisterhood Week, find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Waverly McCarthy is a HottyToddy.com staff reporter and can be reached at wcmccart@go.olemiss.edu.