In recognition of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the TSU Office of Student Life, the Community Anti-Violence Association (CAVA), TSU’s BACCHUS, Circle K, and Sigma Phi Epsilon student groups, and the Department of Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Social Sciences will host the annual Take Back the Night march and rally on Wednesday, April 9.

Throughout the month many TSU students will wear green ribbons to raise public awareness of the problem of sexual assault. While TSU joined the effort nine years ago, Take Back the Night originated in England in 1977 as a women-only protest against the violence and fear women encountered on the streets in the evening. San Francisco followed suit in 1978, and since then Take Back the Night events have spread across the country, particularly among college campuses.

TSU’s event will begin at 7 p.m. with a community information fair on the Best Hall north lawn. Pizza, hot dogs and other refreshments, face painting and games will be available. At 7:45 p.m., guest speakers will share stories about their transition from victim to survivor.

The march to Monument Circle in downtown Angola will begin at 8 p.m. to demonstrate to the Angola community TSU’s stand on confronting sexual and domestic violence and violence against women and children. The march will affirm the right of human beings to be free from violence, to be heard, and to reclaim those rights if they have been violated. The public is invited to attend the information fair, hear the speakers, and join in the march. The activities will head to Best Hall room 229 if the weather is rainy.

The TSU Office of Student Life and CAVA will also host and sponsor a two-part self-defense course for students on April 3 and 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Witmer Clubhouse. Jason Sheppard from the ATA Black Belt Academy will teach, and sign-up sheets should be picked up in the Office of Student Life before class so leaders can determine the amount of course materials they will need.

The course is $5 for students and $10 for staff and community members. The money covers a Kubaton self-defense item to attach to a keychain, and also benefits CAVA. For more information on Take Back the Night, contact Megan Cook at 665.4172 or cookm@tristate.edu.