'Take Back The Night' Events Go Online Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — For 35 years Take Back the Night events have traditionally been held in-person, with rallies, marches and live shows. This year, amid the coronavirus outbreak, that just isn't possible. Instead, several Virginia college campuses are going virtual and turning their Take Back the Night into "Take Back the Net".

Take Back the Night is an internationally recognized event created to push back against sexual and domestic violence. This year, for Take Back the Net, the event will allow students to meet online with sexual assault survivors, advocates and allies to talk about the issues, the history of the movement, and how to protect and support victims.

The virtual event is being held on the online meeting application Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesday night. Students who wants to attend the event can do so by following this link.

The Take Back the Net event is open to all students attending:

• University of Mary Washington
• Virginia Tech
• University of Richmond
• Virginia Commonwealth
• Old Dominion
• Virgina State
• Radford University

Organizers say they have worked to make sure the virtual event will be free from online harassment or cyberbullying, and moderators will be monitoring the event for disruptions. The schools also say they expect Take Back the Night to return to normal next year after the pandemic has passed.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and the University of Mary Washington has several other events planned, including another Zoom meeting with Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, an Instagram contest and giveaway and more.

You can find out more about their events here.

Resources for victims of sexual violence can be found here.