One in five women experience sexual violence while in college, said Bekah MillerMacPhee, assistant director of programs for the Women’s Center.
Joleen Evans | Argonaut
Members of the UI community march through campus during Take Back the Night Thursday to take a stand against domestic violence.
With hopes to decrease this number, the University of Idaho Women’s Center put on Take Back the Night last week. The purpose of the event was to give students the chance to support UI in the fight to end interpersonal violence.
“Tonight, every single one of us collectively are sending a message that we do not tolerate — that we will not tolerate this violence,” MillerMacPhee said. “We will not stand for any type of violence on this campus, whether that violence is directed towards women, men, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color or any other group, any other part of our Vandal family.”
Hundreds of UI students joined together in the Agriculture Science Auditorium Thursday night to listen to fellow students share their stories and come together to help prevent domestic violence.
Beginning the rally, MillerMacPhee welcomed Executive Director of Tribal Relations Yolanda Bisbee on stage, where she introduced the Vandal Nation, a Native American drum and singing group. The drum group played an honor song and all individuals in the auditorium stood in respect to the tribal tradition.
After the Vandal Nation played, MillerMacPhee introduced Women’s Center supporter Mary Beth Staben, who talked about her experiences with domestic violence as a physician.
Staben offered her input on the event and explained why she thought it was important that students attended.
“Going into the night and making our voices heard, we are creating a space where we have that power before we are victims,” Staben said. “We are creating a place where we can be empowered as individuals and as a community and that is a path that will lead us to a more nurturing and positive society.”
MillerMacPhee then introduced UI senior Jessy Forsmo-Shadid, who shared her poem, “To Brock Turner.”
Another student was invited to the stage. MillerMacPhee introduced Jessica Matsaw, who shared her personal story of survival and resilience.
After Matsaw finished, students grabbed signs, glow-sticks and each other to begin the silent march around campus.
During the march, students held hands, comforting one another. Every two minutes a whistle pierced the night to signify how often someone is assaulted in the U.S.
If at any time during the march a student felt triggered by something that happened in their past or to someone important to them, support was provided. Volunteers from Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse and the Counseling and Testing Center were there to talk to anyone who needed it.
To conclude the night, students were offered the chance to talk about domestic violence in a comforting place during a speak-out. This gave students a safe space to talk about personal experiences where they or someone they know was affected by violence.
“We are committed to reducing violence on our campus and in our community, and we’re committed to supporting victims and survivors,” MillerMacPhee said.
Take Back the Night has played a huge role in the Vandal community for more than 12 years, MillerMacPhee said.
“It’s important for us to keep hope, and that’s why we’re all here,” MillerMacPhee said. “It’s important that we don’t get too cynical about this issue and that we remember there is hope, and that together we can do something about bringing this violence down and we can reduce these rates and prevent it before it happens.”
Savannah Cardon
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