Sonoma State: Take Back the Night Rally Raises Awareness for Victims of Sexual Assault

Students at Sonoma State tonight will organize in protest of sexual assault, according to project organizers. Following is a message from the university on events planned in recognition:

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the Sonoma State campus has events to increase awareness of sexual assault and let those affect by it have a chance to have their voices heard.

The powerful Take Back the Night rally is set for this evening, Thursday, April 12, in Stevenson Quad. Take Back the Night creates an atmosphere of empowerment, while raising awareness about sexual violence and advocating its end. The event begins with a “Speak Out,” an open forum for survivors and allies to share their story or story of a loved one, at 6:30 p.m. This is followed by a march beginning at 8:30 p.m. against sexual violence through the campus.    

Denim Day, Wednesday, April 25 from 12-2 p.m. in the Stevenson Quad honors a woman who was forcibly raped by her driving instructor. The woman pressed charges, but the case was dismissed because the judge decided, “…because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape, but consensual sex.”

For more information contact Keri Harris, Crisis Advocate at 707-664-2155 or keri.harris@sonoma.edu.