Participants in the Take Back the Night event march from Franklin College to the county courthouse in Franklin on in 2023. The annual event, which brings awareness to sexual violence as well as resources to help those impacted by it, will start at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
UPDATE: 10:42 a.m. Wednesday
Due to the forecast for inclement weather, the entire Take Back the Night event will be held inside the Napolitan Student Center atrium on Franklin College’s campus. Participants are encouraged to park on the southwest side of the Napolitan Student Center, off Park Ave. They can then enter through either entrance closest to the parking lot. If the doors are locked, organizers will have someone keeping an eye out and letting people in.
Original story
The voices will echo throughout downtown Franklin Thursday afternoon.
Franklin College students, community members, residents and more will speak up, raising awareness of sexual violence during the annual Take Back the Night event. They’ll rally together before marching from campus to the Johnson County Courthouse for food, music and more.
The entire goal of Take Back the Night is to raise the curtain on a subject that too often hides in the shadows, said Michele Lee, Johnson County community service director for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.
“This event allows for survivors to share their stories and have a voice around a topic that they otherwise would be frowned upon speaking about,” she said. “Young survivors have shared with us that this event is incredibly empowering and has historically created a safe place for them to be able to share their experiences with each other.”
Take Back the Night is an international campaign aimed at ending sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. Though the rallies have been ongoing since the 1960s, this will be the sixth such event conducted in Franklin.
Organizers of the local event include the college, Turning Point and ASSIST Indiana.
The event kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Thursday for a rally inside the college’s Napolitan Student Center atrium. There, participants will hear from Dottie Davis, owner of Davis Corporate Training, a private training and consulting business, who has worked for the past three decades as a family violence trainer, and has trained thousands of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, advocates, and judges throughout the nation.
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence named her the 1998 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Joining Davis will be Kinsley Shoemaker, Miss Teen Indiana, who will talk about the importance and impact of addressing and preventing sexual violence.
“Both of these women have important messages to share, both are strong and brave women who have survived, they bring the opportunity to use their platforms to share that there is ‘Help for today and hope for tomorrow,’” Lee said.
What follows is the most visible portion of Take Back the Night — the march from Franklin College’s campus to the Johnson County courthouse. Downtown Franklin businesses have pledged shows of support to raise awareness and prevention of sexual violence throughout the month of April.
Carrying signs and reciting chants while walking down Jefferson Street, the goal is to bring the issue out into the open, Lee said.
“This allows everyone to share support, validation, awareness and outreach to survivors,” she said.
Once at the courthouse, people will enjoy music by Sharianne Whetstine and Maria Jo Ham, who will use song to share their stories of healing. Pizza from the Willard and Greek’s Pizzeria and Tapp Room will be available, and sweets from Norma Jean’s Pastries and Sweet Lee Made.
Advocates and community partners are scheduled to pass out information, network and collaborate.
“… Everyone needs to know what resources are out there and where survivors can connect to advocates that can assist them in their healing journey,” Lee said.
IF YOU GO
Take Back the Night
What: A community demonstration, rally and march to bring awareness to the problem of sexual, domestic and physical violence.
When: 3:30 p.m. Thursday
Who: Organized by Franklin College, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services and ASSIST Indiana.
Where: The rally starts at the student center atrium at Franklin College’s campus, before marching to the county courthouse and back to Franklin College.
Who can participate: The event is open to the public.
