Lawrence community members will join together Thursday evening to flood love and support toward survivors of sexual violence.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center annually hosts “Take Back the Night,” a night of community solidarity with survivors of sexual violence, according to the Facebook event page.
As part of the Care Center’s mission is to help “promote a culture of consent,” sexual violence prevention is also an important purpose to Take Back the Night, according to the event page.
This year’s speakers will include Care Center Executive Director Jennifer Ananda, who will talk about sexual violence; midwife and Vote No Kansas founder Melinda Lavon, who will talk about reproductive rights; and KU Law professor Kyle Velte, who will talk about LGBTQ people’s rights.
Take Back the Night is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27 at the South Park Gazebo, 1141 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence. A resource fair and signmaking will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the speakers will follow at around 7:15 p.m.
At 8 p.m. — once it’s dark outside — there will be a candlelight vigil and speak out circle. The event is set to conclude at 9 p.m.
Visit The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center’s website at stacarecenter.org to learn more about its sexual prevention work and free support services.
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Resources for survivors
If you have experienced sexual violence or trauma, please seek the help that’s right for you. There are many options available, and you don’t have to file a police report if you don’t want to.
Get 24/7 help in Lawrence: The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center
- Call 785-843-8985 to reach an advocate, 24/7. (Consider saving that number in your phone in case you or someone you know ever needs it.)
- After an assault: What are my options? Check this page for detailed information about
- talking to an advocate,
- going to the hospital,
- making a police report,
- and/or talking to a counselor or therapist.
- On campus? Check this page for specific resources for the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Baker University, Ottawa University and more.
Resources on KU’s campus:
- Contact CARE (Campus Assistance, Resource, and Education) Services: KU students can make an appointment online at careservices.ku.edu, by email, care@ku.edu, or by calling 785-864-9255. It’s free, confidential and voluntary to talk with the CARE Coordinator. All genders welcome. Read more here.
- Find more KU campus resources at this link. Specific information about sexual assault exams can be found under the “Medical Care” tab.
- Connect with KU CARE Companions on Instagram. (Note: CARE Companions are KU students in the Panhellenic community that offer peer support and info about resources, but this is not an advocacy service like others listed here.)
Domestic violence situations: The Willow Domestic Violence Center
- Reach the Willow for help 24/7 at 785-843-3333.
- Find more resources on the Willow’s website at this link.
More resources
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) for 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives that is culturally appropriate.
- National hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, and/or visit thehotline.org to chat and learn more, 24/7.
Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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