`Take Back the Night' Begins

Take Back the Night 1992 kicks off today and will continue for two weeks, concluding with a rally and a march through Harvard Square.

The Radcliffe Union of Students (RUS) is sponsoring the annual series of events to raise awareness about violence against women.

Coordinator Heidi I. Siedlecki '93 said the event attempts "to come up with a wide range of different viewpoints from which to examine violence against women in this culture."

The first highlight of Take Back the Night, according to RUS Co-President Brenda C. Coughlin '93, will be the address by keynote speaker Karen Finley, feminist performance artist and author of Shock Treatment. Finely will not perform, but will instead speak about violence against women and other issues, Coughlin said.

According to Coughlin, other highlights of the week include panel discussions entitled "Prosecuting Rape and Sexual Assault," "Popular Culture and Violence Against Women," and "Violence Against Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals."

The panel on rape and assault will feature Elizabeth Lederer, prosecutor of the Central Park jogger case. Lederer will be joined by Heidi Krizer, who sued the Pi Eta Speakers Club for damages after she was allegedly raped there.

Take Back the Night will conclude with a rally at the quadrangle behind the Malkin Athletic Center and a march to the Radcliffe Quad. RUS Co-President Minna M. Jarvenpaa '93 said, "In the past, we've had about 300 people show up." She added that she expects about 500 people to attend this year.

The Rally will include an "open mike" during the program. Rally participants will be invited to describe experiences they have has involving women and violence.

Jarvenpaa said the march empowers women because they walk through Harvard Square at night without fear. "[The march] takes away that fear, even if it's just for one night."

RUS Co-Secretary Olivia D. Williams '93 said the biggest goal of Take Back the Night 1992 is to raise awareness of issues of violence against women. "We want to bring [these issues] to the community," she said.

"The issue of violence and the forms it takes is not partisan," Coughlin said. "It's an issue that concerns everyone regardless of politics or background."