Take Back The Night

The University of Southern Maine is hosting Take Back the Night 2024 on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 6PM to 9:30PM on the Gorham campus in Lower Brooks. This event will bring the USM community a three-tiered event to raise campus awareness and give support to those impacted by sexual violence on campus and in our community. Take Back the Night 2024 will feature the following:

• 6:00PM to 7:00PM – Lower Brooks – Sign-Making
  • Participants are invited to a pre-march sign-making event where creativity meets activism. As we gear up for the upcoming Take Back The Night march, come together to craft visually striking signs that echo our collective voice against sexual violence. All supplies will be provided.
• 7:00PM to 7:15PM – Outside Lower Brooks – March
  • This empowering event is a collective expression of solidarity, resilience, and determination to end sexual violence. While you march, raise your voice by echoing our demand for safety, support, and justice. Chant cards will be provided to all participants.
  • The march will start outside of Lower Brooks and conclude at Lower Brooks. The route follows ADA standards for accessibility and takes roughly 15 minutes in total.
  • Come early to receive a free t-shirt to commemorate this year’s Take Back The Night! Supplies are limited and will be available on a first come first serve basis. Temporary tattoos, buttons, and megaphones will also be available to participants.
• 7:30PM to 9:30PM – Lower Brooks – Survivor Support Reception with Speak Out
  • The Speak Out is a safe and judgment-free space for survivors, victims, and loved ones to share their experiences and stories with sexual violence. Any student is welcome to speak once the floor is open. This is a non-mandatory reporting event. Disclosures related to the following topics will not be considered notice to the University of Southern Maine: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault & Rape, Dating & Domestic Violence, and Stalking. Advocates will be available to speak with anyone struggling.
  • Light refreshments, giveaways, and resources will be available.

Our hope is to show those impacted by sexual violence that USM is a unified community dedicated to ending sexual violence together. We are encouraging clubs, organizations, classes, departments, offices, and colleges to design a sign and march together this year.

Individuals can contact the Confidential Resource Advisor via email at confidentialresourceadvisor@maine.edu for more information.