Take Back the Night

For the past seven years, the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA), has led the effort to bring the "Take Back the Night" awareness event to Tucson to mark sexual assault awareness month in April.  This year's event was held Tuesday, April 13 and attracted a crowd of more than 200 supporters to Armory Park in downtown Tucson.  Lane Santa Cruz was the event host.  An opening blessing was provided by Calpulli Teoxically and the Rincon High School Dance Crew performed.  Deanna Lewis executive director of Dequenesh Clinic provided the keynote speech followed by a survivor speak out and candlelight vigil.

"'Take Back the Night' is about the power of speaking out," said Colleen Phelan, crisis advocate coordinator for SACASA.  "Sexual violence and domestic violence are often 'crimes of silence' because of low reporting rates and social discomfort with their public discussion.  The bulk of the evening is survivors speaking out in a supportive and welcoming environment."   The stage for the speakers was surrounded by the 'clothesline project,' which includes t-shirts from previous years that were hung around the stage to create a safe place for survivors to speak.

"A goal of "Take Back the Night" is to involve as many youth as possible because they're going to be the ones who will impact change in how we view and deal with sexual assault in the future," added Colleen.  This year SACASA trained four youth in advocacy skills to be available to support teens at the "Take Back the Night" event.

The evening also included a successful raffle to begin to raise funds for next year's event. We appreciate our raffle sponsors:  Antigones Bookstore, Raging Sage, Bohemia, Revolutionary Grounds, English Garden Flowers, Eric Mackey Massage, Tubac Golf and Spa.

To hear more about the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault and "Take Back the Night," tune in to KUAZ 89.1 FM in Tucson this week on "Arizona Spotlight." The 30-minute story will air Friday, April 30 at 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The podcast can also be heard on the Arizona Spotlight webpage of Arizona Public Media:  http://radio.azpm.org/azspotlight/

Look for the story on the front page of the Arizona Spotlight page all week. After that, it can be found in the Archive (there is a link to the Archive on the bottom left side of the screen).

For more information about Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault, please visit www.sacasa.org