Women's Center to build awareness of domestic violence with Take Back the Night

The SUNY Oswego Women's Center will host the 35th annual Take Back the Night at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, to raise awareness of domestic violence.

The Take Back the Night march brings attention to violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A rally with guest speakers will precede the march.

The rally will begin in Room 201 of Marano Campus Center; T-shirts will be supplied while they last. Immediately after the march, organizers will host a speak-out, where supporters are encouraged to speak their truth about their survival stories.

Two and A Half -- an organization on the SUNY Oswego campus dedicated to raising awareness of sexual assault, domestic violence and the fact that every two and a half minutes, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States -- assists the event's planning.

The student-run Women's Center was created 40 years ago to provide education, support and advocacy for the Oswego community. "The Women's Center is an organization that advocates equality for all genders,” said Gabrielle Bennett, director of correspondence and secretary for the organization.

Bennett explained that women's issues are not the only ones the club advocates for.The Women's Center seeks to discuss issues of racism, classism and sexism, as well as sexual and domestic violence.

Founded in 1976, Take Back the Night is an international series of events and a nonprofit organization centered on creating a safe environment for relationships and communities. The organization hosts events to raise awareness; it also accepts donations for victims of dating violence. Over 30 countries present various events to help raise awareness of Take Back the Night and its mission.

The SUNY Oswego event is free and open to the public; the Women's Center will provide free shirts while they last. Drivers without a valid campus parking sticker need to visit www.oswego.edu/parking for information on obtaining a daily use permit. For more information on the Women's Center and Take Back the Night, contact womenscenteroswego@gmail.com.