MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN Students to ‘Take Back the Night’

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., April 10, 2008) — For years, women have fallen victim to sexual predators leaving them in a state of fear, too scared to walk alone in open areas or wherever darkness falls.

Cal State Northridge’s Women’s Resource and Research Center and the Women’s Studies Student Association are combining efforts in an event to protest the ongoing sexual battery in society on Thursday, April 24.

The event, "Take Back the Night," is designed to raise awareness for victims of violence with a mini-resource fair, march and candlelight vigil. The rally is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the Plaza del Sol of the University Student Union on the east side of campus and will conclude at 10 p.m. in the Chicano/a House off of Plummer Street on the north side of campus.

"‘Take Back the Night’ is important because it spreads awareness and brings people together to address violence against women in every aspect including domestic violence, rape and sexual assault in an open space," said Stephanie Montes, student coordinator for the event. "It is an event designed to draw people together to declare in one strong voice that the violence must stop."

The first "Take Back the Night" was staged in Germany in 1973. Empowering women and changing the mindset of past victims became the underlying theme and has since been encompassed to marches in countries around the world. This will be CSUN’s fifth year participating in the global movement.

During the event, participants will receive information on support services for victims of violence as well as advice from various guest speakers.

"Violence against women is hardly talked about, even in the mainstream media," said Montes. "There is a lack of resources and adequate government intervention programs for survivors of violence. Therefore we want to create a dialogue about this as well as community solidarity for this issue."

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (818) 677-3110.