MOUNT VERNON — On a cold and blustery Tuesday evening, citizens and students participated in the annual Take Back the Night march, rally and candlelight vigil, held on the first day of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event is intended to recognize victims and survivors of sexual assault, and to make the public aware of the problem of rape and sexual violence in Knox County. It is sponsored by New Directions Domestic Abuse Shelter and The DELTA Project.
The marchers, wearing teal ribbons and led by a police escort, met on Public Square, then walked through residential neighborhoods to the YMCA. Cathy Goeppinger accompanied 11 of her Centerburg High School Family Career and Community Leaders of America students, who carried the Take Back the Night banner.
“I’m here to support the families who have been victims of violence,” said 16-year-old Amber Walschott.
At the YMCA, participants were surrounded by the Clothesline Project as they listened to the stories of survivors read by New Directions and DELTA staff and volunteers. Music was performed by the Flytown Ramblers, and volunteers read “Ten Things Men Can Do to End Men’s Violence Against Women,” “Healthy Relationships” and “Love Is.”
Bonnie Cline led a group reading of “The Survivors’ Bill of Rights,” noting that it was originally created by women in a rape victims support group at New Directions.
“It was created during an excruciating process,” she told the audience. “Every point came out of a specific life issue. These women experienced courage, perseverance and many fears that were very scary.”
Cliff Davis, a DELTA committee member, told the crowd of the women he loves — his daughter, wife, granddaughters, nieces and aunts.
“I mention these women because they are why it’s important to me to stand up and say it’s time for men to be actively involved in this effort,” he said. “I want to know that as these women I love walk through the world, wherever they go they are surrounded by men who will respect them.”
He thanked the women who work with The DELTA Project and New Directions, and said, “I think it’s time for men to step forward and share their jobs. In fact, I think that is the only way we’ll stop [sexual violence]. Indifference supports the oppression. I challenge the men in this room to leave the indifference behind.”
Davis urged men to be role models for younger men, to talk with other men about relationships and to get involved with New Directions.
“In fact,” he added, “I challenge the women in this room to go home and challenge the men in their homes to become involved. It’s not fair for women to fight this alone, and be the victims of it. It’s just not fair.”
Candles were lit and participants observed a moment of silence, then stood and raised their candles high.
“We pay tribute to the strength and courage of survivors,” said Judi Moseley, director of the DELTA Project, “and we honor the victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence.”
Delta Project staff report that sexual violence is a crime of epidemic proportions, and noted that statistics from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention show that one in six women and one in 30 men experience a rape at some time in their lives. The FBI reports there were 4,548 rapes of adult women in Ohio in 2006. Of these assaults, 80 percent are committed by someone the survivor knows. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 60 percent of rapes are not reported to law enforcement and that the majority of rapists are never prosecuted.
