Take Back the Night is a national movement with the mission of ending sexual, relationship, and domestic violence in all forms. WKAR’s Katie Cook went to the MSU Student Union to talk with organizers of this year’s Take Back the Night on campus.
The Student Union lobby is full of resource tables and displays of hand-decorated t-shirts hung on clotheslines for Take Back the Night. Survivors of sexual and domestic violence can decorate a shirt with their messages or stories and add them to the powerful display.
Jamie Tomlinson is a second year grad student at MSU’s school of social work, and co-coordinator of this year’s event at MSU. She talks about the significance of this year’s event in light of the Larry Nassar Scandal, where hundreds of women were abused by the former MSU doctor.
“I think there’s definitely a different meaning this year, we really wanted to create a safe space for survivors where they will be believed.”
Tess Nurenberg is also a second year grad student active with Take Back the Night at MSU.
“I think this kind of event it’s holding the school accountable but it’s also helping them change this culture.”
Both she Tomlinson are survivors themselves and are disappointed with MSU administration for the way they’ve handled Nassar. Tomlinson says the lack of their presence at Take Back the Night says a lot.
“You know you say you support survivors, so come to the biggest sexual assault awareness event and show your support. I want to believe them, but I don’t see them.”
The day’s events have included workshops, a trauma-informed self defense seminar, and an open-mic event where survivor can share their stories.
