Take Back the Night 2011 Unveils Theme and Message
Despite the tragic wrong committed whenever a sexual assault occurs, the message for Take Back the Night is one of empowerment and control.
“Our theme this year is ‘Got consent?’” said Tammy Kresge, coordinator for health promotion at Weigel Health Center. “We want everyone to understand that no sexual encounter should take place without the explicit consent of each person involved. Consent means establishing verbal affirmation that the person wants to engage in sexual activity.” A person under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot give that consent.
Miscommunication and social expectations sometimes lead to an act of sexual assault. “Face-to-face conversation is difficult for today’s students,” she said. “They text and communicate on Facebook and Twitter, but when it comes to talking to a possible partner about sexual activity, they’re not sure how to proceed.”
The first event is the making of a quilt, the fourth such Take Back the Night quilt created at Buffalo State. On Sunday, April 10, students, faculty, and staff will tie teal ribbons around campus trees to get people thinking about reducing the incidence of sexual assault. Messages of grim statistics and inspirational quotes will be chalked around campus.
The big event of this year’s observance takes place on Wednesday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center. This year’s guest speaker is Aileen Hoffman, ’88, a social work major who is now assistant vice president of family services for FEGS Health and Human Services System. “When I was a student at Buffalo State,” she said, “I helped start a program to raise awareness about date rape. I’m so thrilled that Buffalo State participates in Take Back the Night. If one young person who survives that experience learns that she or he is not alone, the effort is worth its weight in gold.”
The program also features performances by dance students and Casting Hall; poetry readings; and students reading the narratives written by survivors. The evening will end with an uplifting performance by S.P.I.R.I.T. Gospel Choir.
The message Kresge and her team intend to convey is “Do Your Part.” “Bystander intervention can be crucial,” said Kresge. “We want to create a cultural change so that, if people see harm being done, they take action, whether it’s calling University Police or their RA. People need to know that taking a video of a fight to post on YouTube is not an appropriate action.”
Kresge has spoken with students who come from backgrounds where violence was part of the daily fabric of life. For some students, Buffalo State is their first encounter with the knowledge that they have the power to choose different behaviors. “Whether it’s television dramas or news,” she said, “acts of violence are so common that it’s easy to become desensitized.” However, she remains optimistic, because she has met so many students who have triumphed over difficult situations to pursue a better life. “They inspire me,” said Kresge, “because they show that people can become empowered and make a difference.”
“Our theme this year is ‘Got consent?’” said Tammy Kresge, coordinator for health promotion at Weigel Health Center. “We want everyone to understand that no sexual encounter should take place without the explicit consent of each person involved. Consent means establishing verbal affirmation that the person wants to engage in sexual activity.” A person under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot give that consent.
Miscommunication and social expectations sometimes lead to an act of sexual assault. “Face-to-face conversation is difficult for today’s students,” she said. “They text and communicate on Facebook and Twitter, but when it comes to talking to a possible partner about sexual activity, they’re not sure how to proceed.”
The first event is the making of a quilt, the fourth such Take Back the Night quilt created at Buffalo State. On Sunday, April 10, students, faculty, and staff will tie teal ribbons around campus trees to get people thinking about reducing the incidence of sexual assault. Messages of grim statistics and inspirational quotes will be chalked around campus.
The big event of this year’s observance takes place on Wednesday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center. This year’s guest speaker is Aileen Hoffman, ’88, a social work major who is now assistant vice president of family services for FEGS Health and Human Services System. “When I was a student at Buffalo State,” she said, “I helped start a program to raise awareness about date rape. I’m so thrilled that Buffalo State participates in Take Back the Night. If one young person who survives that experience learns that she or he is not alone, the effort is worth its weight in gold.”
The program also features performances by dance students and Casting Hall; poetry readings; and students reading the narratives written by survivors. The evening will end with an uplifting performance by S.P.I.R.I.T. Gospel Choir.
The message Kresge and her team intend to convey is “Do Your Part.” “Bystander intervention can be crucial,” said Kresge. “We want to create a cultural change so that, if people see harm being done, they take action, whether it’s calling University Police or their RA. People need to know that taking a video of a fight to post on YouTube is not an appropriate action.”
Kresge has spoken with students who come from backgrounds where violence was part of the daily fabric of life. For some students, Buffalo State is their first encounter with the knowledge that they have the power to choose different behaviors. “Whether it’s television dramas or news,” she said, “acts of violence are so common that it’s easy to become desensitized.” However, she remains optimistic, because she has met so many students who have triumphed over difficult situations to pursue a better life. “They inspire me,” said Kresge, “because they show that people can become empowered and make a difference.”
Media Contact:
Mary A. Durlak, Senior Writer | 7168783517 | durlakma@buffalostate.edu