Holy Family University Community Comes Together to “Take Back the Night “

Holy Family University continued the world’s oldest tradition of standing against sexual violence on college campuses when it hosted Take Back the Night (TBTN), a free event on April 25. The TBTN movement dates back to the 1970s when Florida State University first organized a march to bring awareness to the issue.

TBTN has become an important awareness program for many college campuses nationwide and engages students, staff and faculty in the discussion of ending sexual violence on college campuses.

“Holy Family was excited to be a first-time participant in Take Back the Night,” said Director of Campus AdvocacyPrevention and Education and TBTN organizer Kate Coffey. “The event allowed our HFU community to engage with expert panelists and to network with various advocacy groups and show solidarity during an organized and impactful march on campus.”

The panel discussion featured panelists Marianne Price (HFU Title IX Coordinator); Cynthia Setter (NOVA Forensic Nurse), Quinn Pellerito (Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Assault (WOAR) Educator/Advocacy);  Tito Valdes (Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney);  Alexis Krieger (Philadelphia FBI Victim Specialist), and Kathyrn Gordon (Philadelphia Special Victims Unit SVU Detective).

Attendees then were invited to carry a glowstick and a carnation and join in a march around campus that culminated at the Education & Technology Center, where participants placed their flowers in a display devoted to those who have been lost or impacted by violence. The evening ended with a moment of silence.