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Hosts 31st Annual Take Back the Night Event

By Loyola University on Wed, 03/30/2022 - 13:39 Press Releases

(NEW ORLEANS – March 30, 2022) Next week, local universities plan to stand together at as they call on residents of New Orleans to Take Back the Night.

Shocking statistics show that every 68 seconds, at least one American is sexually assaulted. Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, according to the Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN) And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. So let’s do something about it.

The Crescent City’s 31st annual “Take Back the Night New Orleans” will be held at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at , 6363 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, La. 70118. All are invented to join us as we stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and all forms of gender violence.

“Take Back the Night is an annual opportunity to stand publicly in solidarity with survivors and to work toward prevention of gender violence,” said Patricia Boyett, director of the Women’s Resource Center at Loyola. “The event focuses on advocating for survivors, raising awareness about the persistent pervasiveness of gender violence, working toward changing the rape culture that perpetuates it, and creating a more just world, where all genders are treated with equal respect and dignity.”

Daniel Ahrens-Bryant of Dillard University will give the keynote address. Representatives of the five participating universities – Loyola, the University of New Orleans, Tulane, Dillard and Xavier Universities - will give remarks.

Loyola President Tetlow, a domestic violence expert, will address the crowd. Interim President Select the Rev. Justin Daffron, who assumes leadership at Loyola in May, will give the blessing.

Dr. Patricia Boyett, director of the Women’s Resource Center at Loyola, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Delaney Harper, a Loyola Student and senior at the Women's Resource Center, will present her original poem.

The event is typically held each fall at Loyola, but was delayed this year due to the pandemic. Amid other changes this spring, next week’s event will not include the typical march along Saint Charles Avenue or the private “Speak Out” event typically held on campus for survivors. Those elements should return in October.