UM-Flint's Take Back the Night event highlights Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which the University of Michigan-Flint is recognizing with a series of impactful events aimed at raising awareness, supporting survivors and fostering prevention. Central to this year's programming is the annual Take Back the Night rally. This year, acclaimed filmmaker and activist Byron Hurt will deliver the keynote address. The event underscores UM-Flint's commitment to creating a safe and inclusive campus environment.

The Take Back the Night rally and march, 5 p.m., April 9, is a cornerstone of SAAM at UM-Flint. The event will begin in the Harding Mott University Center Kiva with Hurt's keynote address. Known for his award-winning documentaries such as "Hazing," "Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" and "Soul Food Junkies," Hurt will challenge attendees to rethink cultural norms around masculinity and violence. His work has been pivotal in promoting gender equity and bystander intervention strategies.

Following the keynote, participants will take to the streets for a community march, sending a clear message of solidarity with survivors and a call for systemic change. "This event is about reclaiming safety, amplifying survivor voices, and uniting our community in action," said Samara Hough, director of UM-Flint's Center for Gender and Sexuality. "It's a time to honor the courage of survivors while also recognizing our collective responsibility to foster change."

Sexual violence remains a pervasive issue on college campuses and beyond. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 13% of college students experience sexual assault during their academic careers. This includes 24% of women and 23% of transgender or gender-nonconforming students. Globally, one in three women and one in six men experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Despite these alarming statistics, more than two-thirds of incidents go unreported.

"These numbers remind us why events like Take Back the Night are so critical," Hough said. "They not only raise awareness but also create spaces where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported."

Take Back the Night began in the 1960s in Belgium and England as women protested being unable to walk alone at night. The movement grew from there to become a worldwide event. 

UM-Flint offers robust support services for survivors. These include confidential advocacy, counseling, and assistance navigating academic, legal, medical or housing resources. Survivors can also access peer education programs that promote consent and bystander intervention strategies. Additionally, CGS collaborates with local organizations like the Greater Flint YWCA to extend its reach into the broader community.For those seeking immediate assistance, the university's Counseling & Psychological Services provides 24/7 support for students. National resources like RAINN's hotline are also available to ensure survivors have access to help whenever they need it.

Other SAAM Events

In addition to Take Back the Night, UM-Flint is hosting several other events for the campus community throughout April:

• Black Dandelion Literacy Week (April 8): Engage with Flint Poet Laureate Semaj Brown as she discusses the impact of her international poem "Black Dandelion." This event connects literary expression with themes of resilience and empowerment.
• Wear Your Voice: Support Poster Workshop (April 8): Customize your denim for Denim Day or create bold protest posters for Take Back the Night. 
• Lunch and Learn with Byron Hurt (April 9): An intimate session exploring Hurt's work on masculinity and gender-based violence.
• Denim Day Fashion Show (April 23): A creative activism event encouraging participants to customize denim as a statement against victim-blaming.

Hough explained that Sexual Assault Awareness Month at UM-Flint is not just about recognizing the problem; it's about taking action. Whether attending events, sharing resources or starting conversations about consent and healthy relationships, every effort contributes to a safer community.

"Together, we can cultivate a culture of respect," said Hough. "We believe survivors. We stand with them. And we are committed to change."