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.
Take Back The Night is an event that, usually, consists of a rally, march, and speakout; however to abide by social distancing guidelines, our Take Back The Night will be a virtual experience taking place on Wednesday, April 15.
Whether the event is in person or not, there are every day actions we can take to make our communities a safe place that supports survivors and rejects interpersonal violence.
We are all bystanders on a daily basis: individuals who witness an event or situation. To Take Back The Night, we must be prosocial bystanders. Prosocial bystanders are 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.
Ways to approach/intervene with a perpetrator:
- Call Someone In, Not Out – 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.
- Make it Personal – When explaining why a comment or action is problematic, relate it to something personal to avoid defensiveness.
- Shift Focus – Relate the situation to yourself, or a similar example, to avoid confrontation.
- Call Professionals – It may not always be safe to intervene yourself. Know local and national emergency services, and call one you trust for assistance. Below, you’ll find a list of available resources.
Ways to support survivors of interpersonal violence:
- Use Humor to deescalate the situation, and check in with the survivor afterwards privately to offer support.
- Use Code Words – 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.
- Encourage Group Support – Recruit friends to collectively offer support to a survivor or intervene together.
- Call Professionals – Know local and national support lines to ask for professional advice on how to best support a survivor in a particular situation. Below, you’ll find a list of available resources.
Resources
Syracuse University Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team
- 315.443.8000
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Free and confidential service
- For Syracuse University students experiencing a mental health crisis, seeking support for sexual or relationship violence, or needing a medical consolation.
Syracuse Contact Community Services Hotline
- 315.251.0600
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Free and confidential counseling and suicide prevention
Crisis Text Line
- Text HOME to 741741
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Free support from a live, trained counselor
- First two messages are automated
- 5 minutes is the average time it takes to connect with a live counselor
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1.800.273.8255
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Provides free and confidential support for you and your loved ones
Trans Lifeline
- 1.877.565.8860
- Free and available 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. EST
- Ran by and for peers within the trans community
Trevor Project Hotline
- 1.866.488.7386
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Free LGBTQIA+ crisis and suicide prevention hotline
- Specialized in supporting 13 to 24-year-olds
Vera House Hotline
- 315.468.3260
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Free support for domestic abuse and sexual assault resources
Written by Lauren Crimmins ’20, S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, TBTN Planning Committee Co-Chair