The Mount Saint Mary College community hosted its annual Take Back the Night campaign on Monday, April 14.
Students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Elaine and William Kaplan Recreation Center before walking in solidarity across campus. The group carried candles to honor survivors of sexual violence and to express support as these survivors continue their healing journey.
Take Back the Night is a nationwide event that takes place at college campuses to raise awareness to end sexual violence in all forms, including assault, abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment, and relationship violence.
Before the walk, the students heard from keynote speaker Ericka Pichardo, an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice at Sacred Heart University. She has also served as the Title IX Coordinator at Manhattan College in Riverdale, N.Y., and worked with the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. In her research, she has presented on topics such as bystander intervention training, LGBTQ+ communities, empathy in the classroom, and grant compliance.
Pichardo noted that by taking the time to express one’s thoughts, hear others’ feelings, and embrace our collective understanding, everyone can work toward a “more uplifted and empowered society.”
The walk included student-created imagery from the Clothesline Project, which is another national campaign aimed at ending violence and abuse. Throughout the past weeks, students have written messages of encouragement to survivors on t-shirts. The t-shirt display will be featured on campus throughout the month of April.
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