University to Host Take Back the Night Pre-Rally
The University of Scranton Jane Kopas Women’s Center will participate in the 24th Annual Take Back the Night march and rally against relationship violence and sexual assault on Thursday, April 24.
Across the United States, April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when the Jane Kopas Women’s Center focuses its attention on the national movement to end all forms of sexual violence.
The Center will host a pre-rally on the Dionne Campus Green, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The pre-rally will include information about resources as well as activities. It is free of charge and open to the public.
At 7:15 p.m., participants in the pre-rally will join the Women’s Resource Center march to the Lackawanna County Courthouse for the Take Back the Night Rally, which begins at 7:30 p.m. on the Spruce Street side of the Lackawanna County Courthouse.
According to Justine Johnson, director of the University’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center, Take Back the Night is a powerful event on campus in which the community is able to stand together to end sexual violence.
“Each year the student body joins together with the community of Scranton in an effort to raise awareness. This night is powerful because it unites us and supports us in healing. Individuals are able to empower one another by sharing their personal stories,” said Johnson.
Emily Belmont, a junior counseling and human services major sees Take Back the Night as “one of the few opportunities that brings students and the community together to speak about gender-based violence.”
For more information, contact the Jane Kopas Women’s Center at jkwc@scranton.edu or 570-941-6194.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Jane Kopas Women’s Center at the University.
