Each year during the month of April, U.S. states, territories, government and community-based organizations, rape crisis centers, businesses, campuses, and neighborhoods plan activities to bring awareness to sexual violence as a public health, human rights and social justice issue and to underscore the need for prevention efforts. Beginning in the 1970’s marches and rallies occurred in protest to the fear many women felt walking the streets at night. These TAKE BACK THE NIGHT rallies galvanized a movement that still exists today.
In Lowell, we will have our 14th Annual Take Back The Night rally this year!
In 2006, Bronx civil rights activist Tarana Burke began the #metoo movement. In 2017, after an entertainment industry high profile case, over 500,000 people took one simple action. They spoke up. They supported survivors. They led a change.
Now, more than ever, we agree that sexual assault, harassment and coercion are pervasive problems that we must contend with. Unfortunately we are divided about how to do this.
The unfortunate truth is that we live in a culture where fear and victim-blaming keeps survivors silent. A culture where we wait before taking inappropriate behavior seriously. A culture that makes it difficult for victims to come forward, knowing they will be met with shame or doubt – even though false reporting of sexual assault is very uncommon.
We must contend with holding abusers responsible, establishing climates where survivors find support and building community norms of consent, equity and justice. We all agree that something must be done. This month, we encourage you to take one simple action. It may be speaking up to support survivors, attending Take Back The Night, or practicing asking for consent in your everyday interactions.
It will take all of us to create a culture that no longer tolerates sexual violence.
Isa Woldeguiorguis, Executive Director
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a national campaign to raise awareness about sexual assault, harassment and coercion and to educate communities on how to prevent it.
Check out our upcoming events at CHH and see how you can stay engaged all month long!
We Appreciate Your Support!
We are so excited to hold a Spring thank you breakfast for our fantastic donors and supporters in the community.
With your generous support, CHH served 2,502 survivors and their loved ones last year!
We also launched a new program to serve children under 12 who have experienced sexual abuse and a opened a brand new child and youth center where young people can receive support in a youth-friendly space.
Join us for a light, complimentary breakfast so we can thank you in person! We also would like you to hear directly from those involved about how your support reaches survivors. Come and see the impact you have made!
When:Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 7:30-9am
Where:UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center35 Warren Street, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP to Dimitrios Booras at [email protected] or 978-452-7721
14th Annual Lowell Take Back the Night
We know you value ending violence in our community. Sexual assault, coercion and abuse are serious widespread problems that thrive if we are silent. Every April we gather as a community in Lowell to raise our voices and to show that survivors of sexual violence can be seen, heard, and believed!
Take Back the Night begins with a rally at 5:45pm at City Hall followed by a march down Merrimack Street at 6:30pm and culminates in a survivor speak out at Middlesex Community College Library.
Will you join us to take action to end violence in our community and support survivors?
Register here | Sign up to volunteer | Follow Take Back the Night Lowell on Facebook
International Institute: Lowell 100
Congratulations to our own Amrith Fernandes Prabhu who will be honored as a Social Justice Leader by The International Institute of New England (IINE).
On Wednesday May 1st at 6pm, IINE will celebrate its 100 year Anniversary by honoring 100 outstanding Lowellians who have played a part in building a vibrant immigrant city.
Amrith is the Data and Capacity Building Manager at CHH. She has been an activist in the anti-violence field for 10+ years working with victims of crime, immigrants and refugees, women and children, and vulnerable and displaced communities. As a cisgender South Asian immigrant female with a lifelong physical disability, Amrith is committed to exploring her colonial roots and target identities, and the non-target spaces that she has the privilege to occupy. She is unwavering in her dedication to create inroads and experiential opportunities for those communities who historically have not been served.
Click here to view the Lowell 100! Congratulations all!