By Ashley Lumm

Holding their signs up high and chanting down Court Street, students wanted people to know they were taking back the night.

“Take Back the Night” is an event where both students and members of the community march for the stop of domestic violence and the victims involved. This year it included a pre-rally at the Union and a student march to the courthouse. It was followed by a survivor speak out where victims and victims’ families shared stories and ended with a final march around the city.

According to Ivy Ickes, a safety advocate for Behavioral Connections and coordinator of this event, “Take Back the Night” was started in England by prostitutes who wanted to speak-out against the fear they had for the night. The first march in the United States started in 1978, where “night” became a symbol for the end of domestic violence and rape.

“This event focuses on sexual assault and domestic violence, while empowering the victims and survivors. It gives them a chance to speak-out in a way they have never had before,” she said.

One of the most powerful speakers was a woman named Patricia Rizzi. She told the story of how her daughter, Michelle Rizzi an alumna of the University, was brutally strangled by her husband Denis Salerno and left in a garbage dump. Patricia warned students “that if it could happen to Michelle, it could happen to anyone of you.”

Denis Salerno was convicted to life in prison without parole, but now is appealing that sentence due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The pre-rally began at the Union Oval at around 6 p.m. Colorful T-shirts displayed powerful messages painted by survivors and their loved ones. The shirts were provided by the Wood County Clothesline Project. The group displays the shirts to bear witness for the people affected by violence and educate society of the importance of this increasing problem.

Messages included “Wood County wake-up, domestic violence affects us” and “Not gonna cry no more.”

Senior Luce Tomlin-Brenner spoke for Mary Krueger, Director of the Women’s Center, who was not able to attend the event. Along with the history of domestic violence and some various facts, some shocking statistics were found.

According to Krueger, one out of three high school girls and one out of five college women will experience some type of violence. This means that out of the 12,000 women on campus, over 2,000 students will be directly affected by domestic violence or rape.

Speakers went on to talk about warning signs of domestic violence and advised students who are dealing with violence themselves or know someone who is to get help.

Warning signs may include a need to control the victim, a history of violence and the need to become serious too fast. People who think they may be in an abusive relationship should seek guidance immediately. However, people who think someone they know may be in trouble need to be careful of how they approach the victim. Helpful comments such as, “I’m sorry, I believe you,” and “It’s not your fault,” can be vital when confronting a possible victim.

Vision, a student group that represents various views on sexual orientation, also presented. The group educated the audience on important myths and facts of domestic violence, and ended with the FBI statistic that a woman is beaten every 15 seconds.

Chanting phrases such as “Women united can never be divided” and holding their signs, students marched to the courthouse to meet with the rest of the community.

Seniors Rachel Dubord and Tasheena Barrientos strongly support “Take Back the Night.”

“We feel it is important because a lot of people are not properly informed of domestic violence. We get to stand up for the victims,” Dubord said.

A “safe-room” was provided at the courthouse for anyone who felt the need to talk to someone after experiencing the upsetting images. There, a SAAFE (Sexual Assault Awareness For Empowerment) advocate provided emotional support.

These advocates volunteer for Behavioral Connections and go to police stations and hospitals to help victims after being assaulted. Carol Gaudier, junior, volunteered to be an advocate for the night.

Ickes puts it simply, “We are here as a university, a city, women and men, to speak out against domestic violence.”

For further information about domestic violence, contact The 24 hr Link Hotline at 419-352-1545 or 1-800-472-9411.