Forum aids against violence
Gail Goldsmith
Issue date: 5/7/09 Section: News
Concerned members of the Marist community gathered at "Take Back the Night" on April 28, to speak out against violence, support each other, and share the hope that raising awareness in the community will reduce abuse.
The annual event is held in honor of a female student who was gang-raped on campus in 1993. It was led by freshman Cristina Penin and organized by Kappa Lambda Psi, the Social Work Association, and Gender Equality. It was held in conjunction with the White Ribbon Campaign, which is a campaign encouraging men to help stop violence-especially against women.
Terrence Turner, a junior, began the rally by giving a speech about his past experiences, having seen his father abuse his mother, and his present and future choices to be an advocate against abuse.
"You can take a stand when it comes to violence against women. We can all be the voice for these women," he said. "An abuse to women is worse than anything else because it makes them feel smaller. My mother would cry, and he would tell her to shut up, and she would be quiet. It's a sense of being overpowered that women don't deserve."
Many sororities were also in attendance.
"I know my aunt is trying to get out of a situation right now. I got my sorority involved in "Take Back the Night" because I felt like they would stand behind me," said Jill Sapanski, a member of Alpha Sigma Tau.
The rally continued with a walk around campus, towards the speak-out in the PAR.
Jessica Kirk, Crisis Coordinator for Dutchess County Family Services, introduced the speak-out portion of the event by giving participants the big picture of violence in communities.
"Violence touches everyone: victim, friend, family, service provider and community," Kirk said.
Kirk also highlighted that the Crime Victims Assistance Program is also available to Marist students.
The speak-out provided a valuable forum for catharsis, awareness, and uniting the Marist community against violence.
Students, both male and female, spoke out to share or confront their experiences with rape, molestation, sexual assault, as well as the violence of verbal abuse, cutting, eating disorders, and other degradations of self-esteem. Some described feelings of powerlessness and violation, betrayal, and a pervading lack of trust.
"There are people out there like myself, who can get past it, remember it, share it, and know how it hurts. I love my father, he's a changed man. I'm not ashamed to tell what he did, to tell how it hurt me. I can recall witnessing some really bad incidents that took a toll on our lives. When you are a child and can't do anything, it takes a toll," Turner said.
The annual event is held in honor of a female student who was gang-raped on campus in 1993. It was led by freshman Cristina Penin and organized by Kappa Lambda Psi, the Social Work Association, and Gender Equality. It was held in conjunction with the White Ribbon Campaign, which is a campaign encouraging men to help stop violence-especially against women.
Terrence Turner, a junior, began the rally by giving a speech about his past experiences, having seen his father abuse his mother, and his present and future choices to be an advocate against abuse.
"You can take a stand when it comes to violence against women. We can all be the voice for these women," he said. "An abuse to women is worse than anything else because it makes them feel smaller. My mother would cry, and he would tell her to shut up, and she would be quiet. It's a sense of being overpowered that women don't deserve."
Many sororities were also in attendance.
"I know my aunt is trying to get out of a situation right now. I got my sorority involved in "Take Back the Night" because I felt like they would stand behind me," said Jill Sapanski, a member of Alpha Sigma Tau.
The rally continued with a walk around campus, towards the speak-out in the PAR.
Jessica Kirk, Crisis Coordinator for Dutchess County Family Services, introduced the speak-out portion of the event by giving participants the big picture of violence in communities.
"Violence touches everyone: victim, friend, family, service provider and community," Kirk said.
Kirk also highlighted that the Crime Victims Assistance Program is also available to Marist students.
The speak-out provided a valuable forum for catharsis, awareness, and uniting the Marist community against violence.
Students, both male and female, spoke out to share or confront their experiences with rape, molestation, sexual assault, as well as the violence of verbal abuse, cutting, eating disorders, and other degradations of self-esteem. Some described feelings of powerlessness and violation, betrayal, and a pervading lack of trust.
"There are people out there like myself, who can get past it, remember it, share it, and know how it hurts. I love my father, he's a changed man. I'm not ashamed to tell what he did, to tell how it hurt me. I can recall witnessing some really bad incidents that took a toll on our lives. When you are a child and can't do anything, it takes a toll," Turner said.
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