May 2015

 
An Evening of Empowerment at
Take Back the Night  
  

On Sunday, April 26th, sexual assault survivors and their loved ones gathered at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa for Take Back the Night. Attendees experienced a powerful event that started with a music festival and resource fair, and culminated with an empowerment march and survivor speak-out.

Survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse face numerous emotional struggles and often feeling lonely, shunned and afraid. The trauma of their experience can haunt them their entire lives. Take Back the Night celebrates survivors and serves as a reminder that there is a network of support available.

Brendan McLaughlin and Linda Hurtado from ABC Action News emceed a program that included a men's anti-violence pledge, inspiring words from community leaders, and the presentation of the 2015 Charlie Hounchell Community Advocate Award to Nanci Newton of USF's Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention.   

Many thanks to the volunteers, staff, and sponsors that helped make Take Back the Night 2015 an evening of inspiration and empowerment!