Survivors of sexual assault have said that their strength and resilience helps them recover from their trauma.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Panties and the Office of Victim Assistance hosted an event, Take Back the Night, to honor a victim of sexual assault.
Some of the people in charge of organizing the event said that they wanted to tell the victim’s story and to show that her resilience through adversity is what defines her, not her situation.
They also said that she got the justice she deserves and that she wants to empower those that have experienced sexual assault.
The event began at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 in the parking lot of Margaret Nance. Members of the sisterhood joined together to share poems of empowerment and strength for other survivors of sexual assault.
After they shared poems the group walked in silence to the Amphitheatre to honor the victim. Some of the other members shared poems about their experience and how it does not define them but makes them stronger.
Gabby Gardner, an integrated marketing communications sophomore, said that writing holds a special place in her heart and has helped her on the road to recovery.
“Through my letter I just really wanted to get across that there’s hope and it’s been a long time coming but through therapy it gets so much better and I think our main message is that there’s hope and that everything will get better. No matter how much you think nothing is going to get better it does. You just have to keep fighting,” Gardner said
Gardner shared her thoughts about what this event meant and why it’s important to her and other survivors. She said that spreading awareness will help people understand the severity of sexual assault.
“The purpose of tonight’s event was to spread awareness of sexual assault and telling our personal stories just really hits people in their feelings because they realize how real it is and how it happens to people you don’t think it would happen to,” Gardner said.
Beverly Holbrook, an Office of Victim Assistance counselor, who attended the event to offer support, spoke out for those that have been assaulted but have not seeked help.
“It’s not about reporting, it’s not about getting someone in trouble. Most importantly it is about getting the help you need to overcome and that’s why I would invite anyone who has been assaulted anytime in their life. If you have not gotten counseling there’s no better time than now. It’s free and you have unlimited visits with our office. We want to offer those services because we want people who have been hurt to find healing and hope again,” Holbrook said.
Gardner said that the Sisterhood of the Traveling Panties is an important resource and support group on campus for many victims and it is open to anyone.
“We are judge free zone, we don’t judge anyone. We have all been through very similar situations, we all understand each other. So I think it’s very comforting to know that it’s a safe place for all of us. To speak up about it to tell someone cause if you don’t tell anyone you’re going to be consumed with loneliness and I think that no matter how much it sucks you should tell someone because they will understand,” Gardner said.
