Speaking out against domestic violence and celebrating womanhood, a group of women and men united on the steps of the Capitol for Madison’s third annual Take Back the Night rally and march for women’s safety. The event began with a variety of speakers and ended with a march through the streets of Madison.
Speakers included Rape Crisis Center workers, a representative from Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Madison policewoman Alex Olson and Wisconsin state Rep. Terese Berceau, D-Madison. Other performers included local female poets, musicians and dancers.
Sharon Zimmerman, a volunteer at the event and member of the planning committee, said they wanted diverse speakers for the event.
“We wanted people from the front lines, like local legislators and women from DAIS and RCC,” Zimmerman said. “We tried to get as many people from the community as possible, especially those who have been personally involved in domestic-abuse cases.”
Chair of the planning committee and member of DAIS Jennifer Burkel said the main objective of the rally was to make it both informative and entertaining.
Burkel also said it is important for the rally to focus on positive aspects of the women’s movement, such as the progress through the years.
“I came to Take Back the Night in another city, and I was very uncomfortable with the anger I encountered,” said Burkel. “This event at its most beautiful is a celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going.”
Another positive aspect of this year’s Take Back the Night, Burkel said, was its inclusion of men who have helped their friends or partners deal with the trauma of sexual assault.
UW-Madison freshman Barb Meier, a volunteer worker at the rally, said she had personal reasons for participating in Take Back the Night.
“I have friends who have been raped, and I wanted to feel like I was able to help in some way,” Meier said. “Events like this raise everyone’s awareness. People see us marching and ask what it’s about. It’s a really cool way to spread the word against sexual assault.”
Zimmerman agreed that Take Back the Night was a good opportunity to get the word out.
“It’s a really good outlet for frustrations and a great chance to plan a feminist celebration,” she said.
Speaker Jennifer Epps, co-chair of the ASM diversity committee, read a poem she wrote about issues surrounding sexual assault and voiced some of her frustrations. Epps said more prison sentences against domestic-abuse offenders will not solve the problem.
“More prisons won’t keep you safe as long as men are taught to view women as possessions,” Epps said.
Speaker Saima Akhtar from DAIS focused her speech on the positive facets of her work.
“It is breathtaking, it is empowering, to sit down with someone who’s been hiding [her abuse] all her life and tell her she can live on her own,” said Akhtar. “All I’m asking you here today to do is give some of your time to women like this and organizations that help them, because that’s how this movement got where it is today.”
