Stevens Takes Back the Night

Students, administrators, and community members joined together to promote the end of sexual violence in all forms this past Tuesday night at the first Take Back the Night event. The event was made possible with collaboration between Stevens Shattering the Silence, Women’s Programs, and CarePoint Health-Hoboken University Hospital.

The event began with students gathering on Davis Lawn at 6 PM. Mary Beth Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, took the podium atop the Walker Gym stairs, welcoming those in attendance, as well as Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Dr. Meika Roberson, Chief Medical Officer of CarePoint Medical System- Hoboken. Murphy encouraged all those who came out to “take a public stand” when it comes to ending sexual violence.

Kristie Damell, Assistant Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator, spoke next, and explained how Take Back the Night was to be ran. Students were to walk from Davis Lawn to Pier A while chanting phrases such as “Shatter the violence, stop the violence” and “Our bodies, our lives, we will not be compromised” as they made their way down to pier. Damell encouraged students to “refuse to be silent” and to walk to “celebrate the steps for victims to heal.”

Zach George and Kris Alvarez held the Take Back the Night banner and led the march down to Pier A. Once students reached the beginning of the pier, the chants ceased and students entered the “Silence Zone” as Take Back the Night volunteers handed out glow sticks. The group congregated at the far end of the pier, where Roberson took the microphone. She spoke of the importance of bringing awareness to sexual assault. “Tonight, we say no to excuses. Tonight, we reclaim our bodies,” said Roberson.

Roberson then welcomed Mayor Dawn Zimmer to speak. She thanked the Stevens community, as well as Kristie Damell and Sarah Halliday, president of Stevens Shattering the Silence, for making the Take Back the Night event possible. “I am proud to be here to end sexual violence,” said Zimmer. “It is incumbent upon all of us to speak out against this issue.” Zimmer announced that Stevens’ efforts compelled her to name April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, “a great start to spreading the word.”

After Mayor Zimmer spoke, Summer Dawn Hortillosa, reporter for Jersey Journal, founder of 68 Productions and brave survivor was invited to speak about her experiences. “Was it rape?” she asked. “This man forced me into [saying] yes, so yes, it was rape.” She described her experience as “impactful,” and urged the audience to “destroy the stigma” surrounding sexual violence.

The final speaker was Venida Rodman-Jenkins, Coordinator of the Speicher-Rubin Women’s Center for Equity and Diversity at New Jersey City University. She spoke of ways to help bring an end to sexual violence by “refusing to use the word ‘rape’ out of context.”

“We can end rape culture when we believe survivors,” Jenkins said. “By believing in survivors, we keep them in school and empower other victims to share their stories.”

At all Take Back the Night events, there is time reserved for an open forum for any student that feels comfortable to share their personal story. No students chose to share, but Roberson encouraged everyone to continue speaking and being open to the topic of sexual violence in all its capacities.

The Stevens President Ensemble then sang their rendition of “Blackbird” to conclude the evening.

When asked why it has taken this long for sexual assault and violence to become a prevalent issue, Roberson said “I think this issue has been slowly brewing. People have become more comfortable talking about sexual violence. Not too long ago, we couldn’t even talk about our sexuality until we were married. Unfortunately, most of the violence is male on female, but it is great to see men on this initiative.”

Take Back the Night is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives. They seek to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating volence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence.

Many schools and universities are adopting sexual assault and violence to halt the issue in its tracks. At Stevens, there are many resources on campus for anyone who needs support or wants to report sexual or relationship violence, including campus police, Student Counseling & Disability Services, and Title IX coordinator Kristie Damell. The best advice Roberson has for a female college student? “No one is worth the price of your soul.”