How Can You Take Back The Night?

Take Back The Night is an annual event observed in over 30 countries that brings community members together to speak out against interpersonal violence. Interpersonal violence encompasses any type of violence; including sexual, emotional, verbal, physical and economic harm.ÌýÌý

Take Back The Night is an event that, usually, consists of a rally, march, andÌýspeakout;ÌýhoweverÌýto abide by social distancing guidelines,ÌýourÌýTake Back The Night will be a virtual experience taking place on Wednesday, April 15.Ìý

Whether the event is in person or not, there areÌýevery dayÌýactions we can takeÌýto make our communities a safe place that supports survivors andÌýrejectsÌýinterpersonal violence.ÌýÌý

We are all bystanders on a daily basis:Ìýindividuals who witness an event or situation. To Take Back The Night, we must be prosocial bystanders.ÌýProsocial bystandersÌýare individuals who intervene in a problematic event or situation they are not directly involved in to make a positive impact. This can be to discuss a perpetrators problematic behavior, and/or support the survivor of interpersonal violence.Ìý

Ways to approach/intervene withÌýaÌýperpetrator:

  • CallÌýSomeoneÌýIn,ÌýNotÌýOutÌý– For example, if a friend or colleague passes a comment that perpetrates rape culture, if it is safe to do so, ask to speak with them privately to discuss their problematic comment.Ìý
  • Make it PersonalÌý– When explaining why a comment or action is problematic, relate it to something personal to avoid defensiveness.Ìý
  • Shift FocusÌý– Relate the situation to yourself, or a similar example, to avoid confrontation.Ìý
  • Call ProfessionalsÌý– It may not always be safe to intervene yourself. Know local and national emergency services, and call one you trust for assistance.ÌýBelow, you’ll findÌýaÌýlist of available resources.Ìý

Ways to support survivors of interpersonal violence:

  • Use HumorÌýto deescalate the situation, and check in with the survivor afterwards privately to offer support.Ìý
  • Use Code WordsÌý– Agree on a code word with friends. Once the code word is used, leave the situation together with no questions asked. Offer emotional support once everyone is safe.ÌýÌý
  • Encourage Group SupportÌý– Recruit friends to collectively offer support to a survivorÌýorÌýintervene together.Ìý
  • Call ProfessionalsÌý– Know local and national support lines to ask for professional advice on how to best support a survivor in a particular situation.ÌýBelow, you’ll find aÌýlist of available resources.Ìý

Resources

Ìý

  • 315.443.8000Ìý
  • Available 24Ìýhours a day, seven days a weekÌý
  • Free and confidential serviceÌý
  • ForÌýSyracuse University studentsÌýexperiencing a mental health crisis,Ìýseeking support for sexual or relationship violence,Ìýor needing a medical consolation.Ìý

Ìý

  • 315.251.0600Ìý
  • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a weekÌý
  • FreeÌýandÌýconfidential counseling and suicide preventionÌý

Ìý

  • Text HOME to 741741Ìý
  • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a weekÌý
  • FreeÌýsupport from a live, trained counselorÌý
  • First two messages are automatedÌý
  • 5 minutes is the average time it takes to connect with a live counselorÌý

Ìý

  • 1.800.273.8255Ìý
  • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a weekÌý
  • ProvidesÌý freeÌýandÌýconfidential support for you and your loved onesÌý

Ìý

  • 1.877.565.8860Ìý
  • Free and availableÌý7 days a week fromÌý10:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. ESTÌý
  • Ran by and for peers within the trans communityÌý

Ìý

  • 1.866.488.7386Ìý
  • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a weekÌý
  • Free LGBTQIA+ crisis and suicide prevention hotlineÌý
  • Specialized in supportingÌý13ÌýtoÌý24-year-oldsÌý

Ìý

  • 315.468.3260Ìý
  • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a weekÌý
  • FreeÌýsupport for domestic abuse and sexual assault resourcesÌý

Written by Lauren Crimmins ’20, S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, TBTN Planning Committee Co-Chair

No related posts.