Walking to class, riding on the bus, attending a student org meeting, eating in the dining hall - you might never know when those around you have been affected by a traumatic experience. Sexual assault on college campuses, although a prevalent issue, has been a historically silent epidemic and sadly, the silent stigma persists. 

Many students who experience sexual assault never report the incident or seek help in the aftermath. That’s why events like Take Back the Night are vital to “shattering the silence” that surrounds sexual violence on college campuses. At Texas A&M, Take Back the Night provides a stigma-breaking platform for students, staff and faculty to show up in solidarity with the Aggie community, share stories in a safe place and get connected to the support they need.

Take Back The Night began as a movement in the 1970s at the University of Southern Florida, when students were protesting the lack of resources and safety for women, especially when walking alone at night, in the wake of an increase in incidents of violence against women. In the 1980s, after Laura Lederer released a study on gendered violence over time with the phrase “Take Back the Night” in the title, Take Back the Night marches and rallies began to sweep college campuses nationwide and globally. Over time, Take Back the Night events have moved from rallies and demonstrations to different ways to affect change, and are now times when people take a stand in their own communities and share their stories. The activism from these events has affected policies, laws and handbooks, all with the goal to stop sexual violence, create safe communities and promote healthy relationships. Today, you will see Take Back the Night events that range from speakers to musical performances, partnerships with local artists, poets, small businesses, resources for survivors in local communities and departments across college campuses.

Take Back the Night Promotes Safe Communities and Student Support Services at Texas A&M University

Take Back the Night is a student-led event that serves as the kick-off for Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month (SAPAM) and is a result of a collaborative effort between students supporting students, Student Life's programming on Interpersonal Violence Prevention, and the Brazos Valley community. 

Each year, Take Back the Night programming aims to provide accessibility to prevention education, resources both on and off campus and fundraising in support of local charities and nonprofits who fight to end all forms of sexual violence. 

“It’s so amazing to see all of our campus partners, student orgs, students and community groups that support Aggies at Take Back the Night,” said Ally Norris, ‘24 ‘26, a graduate assistant in University Health Services and member of the Take Back the Night planning committee. “It really shows students there are so many resources, and so many people that care about them and their well being.”

Beginning with opening remarks from community speakers and a keynote speaker, to resource tabling and ending with a candlelit awareness and empowerment walk through campus, the impact of the night’s events are to bring awareness and community building - with the ultimate goal of ending sexual violence on campus. 

“We really want to build a community within Texas A&M”, said Salmah Piprawala, a graduate assistant in Student Life and member of the planning committee. “Take Back the Night helps bring awareness to the fact that sexual violence still happens and is very prevalent, and this event year after year highlights the fact that as students, you always have the support from the Texas A&M community, everyone providing resources at this event and beyond. It can be a taboo topic, but we are aware that it happens, and we want to do our part to end that.” 

Take Back the Night is also in the fight to eradicate the stigma of silence around events of sexual violence, which prevents so many from coming forward to report what happened to them and seeking help and healing. 

“Events like these really help give students a voice to destigmatize a topic that can easily go unspoken about,” said Dani Kafka ‘26, member of the planning committee and SLIDE, a student leadership org co-sponsor. “A community joining together, having expert speakers, sharing resources or just gathering other students come around you - maybe you don't know them at all, maybe you're in class or in an org together- even if they don't even have their own experience, but being an ally, is really validating and makes it a lot easier to have conversations even if you've never done that before.” 

There’s typically a pause in the programming for those who want to speak out and share their personal stories, too. 

“Last year, three or four people shared during this time, one person bravely shared their personal experience and another person read a letter from one of their friends,” said Xochilt Henriquez ‘25, a graduate assistant in Student Life and member of the planning committee.”It was a very powerful moment.”  

Although it started in the 1970’s and 1980’s as an event solely about women, the students who help put on Take Back the Night want other Aggies to know that this event, as well as all other awareness events supporting SAPAM in April, are open to anyone and everyone. 

Take Back the Night Resources

• Community Resources: Different Day Foundation, Scotty’s House, Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley, Twin City Mission DomesticViolence Services, Unbound Now BCS
• Texas A&M Campus Departments: Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing, Civil Rights and Title IX, Substance Misuse & Violence Prevention, Recreational Sports, Residence Life, Student Life, Step In Stand Up, University Health Services, University Police Department
• Student Organizations: SLIDE (event co-sponsor), FRUGAL, Aggies Fostering Hope, Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors, Feminism 4 Aggies, Omega Phi Alpha, Aggie Golden Arrows, Aggies Fighting Human Trafficking

To show your support or attend other events in support of Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month, wear teal the month of April, wear denim on Denim Day on April 30, or visit SLIDE in Rudder Plaza the week of April 7-11.

To access Student Life’s resources on Interpersonal Violence Prevention, visit https://studentlife.tamu.edu/support/.