In collaboration with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Women’s Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, Activity and Program Council, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority the School of Computing and Engineering Student Council and other campus and community organizations, the UMKC Violence Prevention and Response Project is hosting UMKC’s fifth annual Take Back the Night March and Rally on Tuesday, April 7. After a 6:30 p.m. pre-march rally at the UMKC Women’s Center (105 Haag Hall, 5100 Rockhill Rd.), students and community members will march to the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain on the Country Club Plaza at 7:30 p.m. At 8 p.m., sexual assault survivors will speak about their transition from victim to survivor. All of UMKC’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month events are free and open to the public, and no RSVP is required.

In 1978, the first United States Take Back the Night march took place in San Francisco. Today, Take Back the Night coincides with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which provides an annual opportunity to promote awareness of sexual violence and its prevention. Information on the national campaign and events can be found at http://www.nsvrc.org/saam For more information on Take Back the Night, visit www.takebackthenight.org

“For five years, UMKC has hosted Take Back the Night marches,” said Nancy Harper, violence prevention coordinator at the UMKC Women’s Center. “Each year, it provides a great forum for students and community members to speak out against violence, promote awareness of sexual violence prevention and find ways to reduce violence in Kansas City.”

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

At 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, the UMKC Women’s Center and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. will co-sponsor a poster-design party for Take Back the Night. The event will take place at the UMKC Women’s Center, 105 Haag Hall, 5100 Rockhill Rd.

On Thursday, April 23, the UMKC and Kansas City communities are invited to wear jeans in honor of Denim Day. Since 1999, Denim Day has been internationally-celebrated in protest of an Italian High Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. Enraged by the verdict, women of the Italian Legislature protested the decision by wearing jeans to work. As news of the decision spread, so did the protest. On April 23, universities, colleges, junior high and high schools, businesses, organizations and individuals will participate in Denim Day events. For more information on Denim Day, visit www.supportdenimday.com

The Women’s Center will offer sexual assault awareness and response information and items for sale on the following dates:

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 at the Health Sciences Building, 2464 Charlotte St. (UMKC Hospital Hill campus)
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 6 at the Oak Street Hall courtyard, 5051 Oak St.
• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7 on the first floor of Royall Hall, 800 E. 52nd St.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 20 at the University Center walkway, 5000 Holmes St.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 at the Health Sciences Building, 2464 Charlotte St. (UMKC Hospital Hill campus)

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.