More than a decade after Marywood University held its first "Release the Light" sexual assault awareness program, social work professor Karen Rich, Ph.D., detailed the reasons the event is still necessary.
"Because we are told repeatedly that rape isn't really rape, and the institutions charged with maintaining justice re-victimize and denigrate survivors," she said to an audience gathered in the Nazareth Student Center on Wednesday. "Because women are silenced when they seek to bring this violence to light."
The annual program was held as part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and included about 20 different departments, clubs and organizations from the university and the larger community.
The day's observance incorporated information about domestic and relationship violence. It began with a tree-planting in honor of Kristina Adams, a Marywood graduate who was killed in Wayne County in 2012 in a case of domestic violence.
While the day's themes were grave, the program was designed to counter feelings of helplessness.
Too often the response to violence is, "How can we possibly do anything about it?" said Barbara Decker, associate director of Marywood's counseling and student development center.
Organizers said the event, with its march through campus, colorful balloons and drum circle, was meant to empower the community and emphasize that change is possible.
"We are here to get the word out that we are not alone facing this violence," said Ed McNichols, a co-coordinator of Marywood's relationship awareness and empowerment task force. "Together we can make a difference."
Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com