Take Back the Night march shines a spotlight on sexual violence

The University of Maine at Machias, in partnership with the Atlantic Mental Health Center’s Sexual Assault Services and the Next Step Domestic Violence Project, will sponsor a march and an art installation in April in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness month.

A Take Back the Night march will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at the Machias Chamber of Commerce and end at the UMM Performing Arts Center with a rally and speak-out. The event, which is free and open to the public, will conclude with a candlelight vigil. A shuttle service will be available afterward for participants.

The Clothesline Project will be displayed in the Merrill Library at the University of Maine at Machias from April 9–30 during regular business hours. For hours, visit machias.edu/library or call 255.1200.

Take Back the Night marches were conceived in the 1970s as a forum for women to voice their anger about sexual violence and protest the dangers they faced when going out alone at night. The annual Take Back the Night marches in Machias are intended to raise awareness of sexual assault and are open to everyone.

The Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to survivors of sexual assault and other forms of violence. A clothesline is hung with t-shirts, each decorated by a survivor or someone close to a survivor, symbolizing the unique experience of that individual.