Georgia Tech believes every student has the right to live and learn in a campus community that is free of violence or the threat of violence. This is one of the main messages behind Take Back the Night, a long-standing tradition at Georgia Tech and beyond; at this event, survivors of sexual and relationship harm speak out by sharing personal experiences during a candlelight vigil to honor all victims and survivors.

Sponsored by VOICE within the Wellness Empowerment Center (W.E. Center) in Student Engagement and Well-Being and other campus partners, the event is open to the entire Georgia Tech community and includes a resource fair and call to action with a short march through campus following the event. This year’s annual Take Back the Night event is Monday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the grove adjacent to the Divine Nine Plaza.

What began as a series of rallies taking place as part of the Women’s Rights Movement across the United States and around the world in the 1970s has evolved over the years to become an accessible event inclusive of all communities. As the movement has grown, events have become more varied with artistic performances, speak-outs, vigils, and marches, but the central message has always remained the same.

“The main message is that sexual violence affects everyone, and it will take everyone working together to end it,” VOICE Advocate Ariel Jester said. “Survivors’ stories deserve to be heard, and as a community, it is our responsibility to listen, learn, and act to affect positive change.”

Take Back the Night is one of a series of events happening throughout April as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). To learn more about SAAM and Georgia Tech-specific events, visit the W.E. Center’s website.

“Hearing what the survivors share is such a powerful experience,” W.E. Center Director Joi Alexander said. “It can be emotionally challenging to listen to what they’ve gone through, but these are members of our community — our friends, students, professors, coworkers — and it’s important that their voices be heard.”

“Take Back the Night puts a name, a face, and a person to those impacted by sexual and relationship violence,” observes Luoluo Hong, vice president for Student Engagement & Well-Being. She herself has shared publicly about her own experiences of being a college rape survivor.  “Participating in Take Back the Night can be an important part of the healing journey for survivors as they reclaim a sense of agency and share the impact of violence in their own voice.”

Additional campus sponsors for Take Back the Night include Belonging and Student Support; Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management; and Georgia Tech Student Government Association.

If you have experienced sexual violence or have questions related to victim-survivor support, referrals, accommodations, or reporting options, reach out to a VOICE Advocate 24 hours a day by calling 404.894.9000 or scheduling an appointment online.