By CHEYENNE WALLACE
Contributing Writer
ALBANY, NY April 4, 2019- Violence against women takes on particular significance when it happens at a college found by women, for women.
Take Back the Night is an event designed to prevent violence against women. This year’s event take place at 5 p.m. on April 17. Started in the 1970’s as a women’s movement, the event allows women to take back the night. In doing so, this night allows for women to be free from fear and the prevalence of violence.
Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center has been holding Take Back the Night events for about 28 years. The College of Saint Rose has been involved for the last 10 years. One of the primary supporters of the event Dennis McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs at Saint Rose, has gone to Take Back the Night six years in a row.
“The first time I went it was very powerful and impactful. It changes students’ experiences. It’s a way for the college to connect with the greater community,” McDonald said. “Women need their freedom, especially on a campus where the majority of students are women.”
The event was first held at Washington Park but moved after the city charged a fee. The first year after that McDonald told the organization that the college would host. That was eight years ago.
In the 10 years that the college has been involved with Take Back the Night, McDonald has seen more people and community organizations getting involved. At first, only about 200 people attended and support mostly came from some local colleges and a few other organizations. The event attracts anywhere from 300 to 400 people and has attracted support from more colleges and community organizations.
“Take Back the Night is open to all. It’s come to include all ages, genders, backgrounds. There’s a lot of diversity,” said Amanda Bastiani, associate director of Violence Prevention at Saint Rose. The event takes place at 5 p.m., April 17 at the Washington Park Lake House. Two Saint Rose students will perform as well as a variety of service providers, and food vendors. Opening remarks take place at 5:45 p.m., followed by the survivor speakout. This is followed by a march and concludes with a candlelight vigil.
“Having watched students that have been there, it’s been a way to come together for a cause,” says McDonald. “There’s a common purpose, greater sense of community.” The associate director also wants attendees to know that the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center has been notifying bars in the area well in advance that Take Back the Night is occurring. The flyers are intended to raise awareness and reduce any negative feedback.
“It connects with the Saint Rose mission,” Bastiani added. “The culture is still there,” she said. “But more people come out to support, people honk their horns, clap, give us thumbs up. People even take photos and videos of us when we’re walking.”
A lead up event will take place in the Events and Athletics Center Main Lounge from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Thursday. There will be therapy dogs, a chalk the walk station and an ability to help create grounding kits for the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center. Grounding kits are used to bring women back to the moment. They include things like chapstick, lotions, music playlists, writing materials and gum. The materials found in a grounding kit help women get back to the current moment in some high stress situations.
Bastiani also wants students to know that there are 100 t-shirts first come, first served. Students can get their t-shirt at the event, or meet in the Events and Athletics Center at 4:45 p.m., get their t-shirt and join the walking group from campus to Washington Park.
“Every year more and more students go,” said McDonald. “It’s life altering for them.”
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