Candlelight illuminated the faces of about 70 activists marching from White Plaza to the Main Quad in a silent demonstration of solidarity for victims of violence against women during the 17th annual Take Back the Night (TBTN) march.

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Mehmet Inonu

Students gathered holding lighted candles to raise awareness of violence against women during Stanford’s 17th annual “Take Back the Night” rally. Activists marched silently from White Plaza to the Main Quad to illuminate dark areas where women could be assaulted.

“There are a lot of women’s events at Stanford, but this is one is special,” said Jillian Wong ‘08, organizer of the event. “A lot of people don’t know that violence against women is a big issue.”

The event originated in San Francisco in the 1970s, when survivors of sexual violence came together and talked about their experiences. Throughout the years, it has evolved to include rallies and marches.

Stanford’s TBTN began with a short opening ceremony, which featured a performance by the Talisman a cappella group and several speakers, and culminated in a silent walk around campus in the dimly lit areas where women were most likely to experience sexual assault.

“Historically, this is an event for women to make a statement against violence,” said Carol Partofsky, director of Health Promotion Services at Vaden Health Center. “It’s about taking back a night in which women feel safe and empowered.”

“It’s part of our humanity to desire to be free and to know you’re in a safe place,” added Sally Baird, from Sexual Assault Prevention at Vaden.

Jesse Wallin ‘08, president of Men Against Abuse Now (MAAN), provided a male perspective on the issue of women’s violence.

“Working on ending all violence, especially violence against women, is something I’m passionate about,” Wallin said. “It is fundamentally unjust for women to have to face gender based violence.”

“This is a really important event that means a lot to the greater community and myself, personally,” said Jenna Whiteley ‘08, a Peer Health Educator for West Flo and a participant in TBTN for the second year in a row.

Several organizations, including the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, came out to support the event.

“It was interesting,” said Martin Duncan ‘09, a Phi Kappa Psi member. “I’ve never walked around the quad in complete silence before. It gave me a lot of time to think why I was there.”

TBTN was sponsored by Vaden, the PHE program, Sigma Psi Zeta, the Order of Omega, the Interfraterity Council, the Intersorority Council and was endorsed by various councils.

“This is an event where we can come together and say, ‘Stop the violence,’” Partofsky said.