Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – On April 3, 2014, the Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center will join with the University of Florida’s STRIVE at GatorWell, Office of Victim Services, and LGBT Affairs office to present the annual “Take Back the Night: A March and Rally to End Sexual Violence” as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Plaza of the Americas with kickoff remarks and poster-making.  At 6 p.m., participants will march through campus, meeting again at the Plaza of the Americas for an open microphone rally beginning at 7 p.m.

“For more than thirty years, universities have gathered across the globe for Take Back the Night events that support and empower survivors, raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence, and give voice to their desire to end sexual violence so that no one need live in fear, either by day or by night,” said Alachua County Victim Advocate Jesse Lazarchik. ”The University of Florida has a long tradition of sponsoring Take Back the Night Events.”

Research shows that one in four college females and one in twenty males will be the victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault during their college years. At least 80 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. These statistics only serve to highlight the importance of campuses and communities continuing to come together to raise awareness about this serious issue. Through this event, every member of the campus community can be empowered to take responsibility for speaking out against and preventing sexual violence.

For more information, Contact Jessie Lazarchik at the 352-264-6767.

Visit the Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center online.