Oct. 10 Take Back the Night March and Rally will shed light on personal violence

The Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) and its CVIC at UND program will host the annual Take Back the Night March and Rally Thursday, Oct. 10 during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, as well as honor a Peacemaker Award winner who champions change as part of a bold initiative to end violence in two generations.

The march leaves at 6 p.m. from the UND Wellness Center to the Chester Fritz Auditorium for the rally, which begins at 7 p.m. Both are free and open to the public.  As part of the rally, two individuals who have experienced violence in relationships will share how their past experiences have shaped their advocacy and empowerment. A return shuttle to the Wellness Center will be available after the rally for those who participate in the march.

The Take Back the Night events are the culmination of a two-day North Dakota Clothesline Project on display from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 -10 at the UND Wellness Center. The impactful display features dozens of shirts designed by adults and children who have been harmed by violence. The display is also free and open to the public.

“We know there are many people in our region living with violence who may never be heard unless the community stands together to break the silence,” said CVIC President/CEO Coiya Tompkins.

“In order to end violence, we must bring attention to its impact and talk about the benefits of a community-wide support system,” she said. “The march and rally provide an opportunity to give a voice to those who have been harmed and for all of us to remember our role in creating a more peace-centered environment.”

CVIC provides crisis support, advocacy and intervention services for people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes, as well as prevention and education programs in the region’s schools and communities. In 2018, CVIC provided services to more than 3,200 people. Its prevention efforts reached nearly 19,000.