By Genevieve Adams

Shine brightness on darkness. It may seem like a simple concept.

The issue of women’s violence has been a problem around the world, and the traditional march Take Back the Night plans to shed light on the dark streets and back corners where violence against women is so prevalent.

The annual march, sponsored by the Violence, Intervention and Prevention Center, will be March 30, beginning at 7 p.m. Current sites include the Patterson Office Tower Plaza, the parking lot of 3rd Street Stuff on Limestone, and Triangle Park. The marches will lead participants to Courthouse Plaza in downtown Lexington where a rally will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Both high school and college students are encouraged to join the Lexington community in celebrating 33 years of tradition in violence prevention and safety.

“I think that’s really the strength of this movement,” Sally Evans, volunteer coordinator and educational programs director at the VIP Center said. “It requires men, women, young, old. It cuts across all of our differences. When people all over the world are talking, marching, supporting; that’s what is going to help us overcome this.”

Evans isn’t the only one fighting for this cause. Since its creation 33 years ago, Take Back the Night has been an international phenomenon that has raised awareness about violence against women.

The idea of Take Back the Night came from the womens movements of the 1970s. Women took back the fear of leaving their houses past sunset, took back the fear of standing up to an abusing partner, and took back the fear of being independent.

“Things like rape, sexual assault and relationship violence are what we call crimes of silence because of their low reported nature,” Evans said. “When everyone comes together like in Take Back the Night, we let survivors know they’re not alone.

“It’s very powerful to say these crimes will not be tolerated, and we will make this visible, and there are people in this community that won’t be passive.”

The VIP Center is not the only place on campus that is combating the issue.

“I’m in the women’s choir here, and as our philanthropy event we’re going to Take Back the Night,” said VIP Center volunteer and freshman Lindsey Steller. “I’ve never been affected by it, but if I can stop it from happening, then I can help.”

The VIP Center has been working on raising awareness about living the green dot — how doing something small can make a huge difference.

Gretchen Gruenberg, an intern at the VIP Center and coordinator for Take Back the Night, explained how her personal connection with dating violence has prompted her to make a change and stand up for women who think they’re alone in the issue.

“I have been involved in VIP for the past three years and I have a personal connection towards violence,” Gruenberg said. “I was in a bad relationship, and I was date raped freshman year as well. … The statistic 1 in 3 should be uncalled for. I think I should educate my peers that this does effect so many people.”

The idea that something so small can make a world of difference, especially at a college campus where students think the problem is bigger than them, can be intimidating. The march challenges them to take a stand and find comfort in the number of people taking a stand with you.

“We try to help people get in touch with realistic ways to stay safe,” Evans said. “We are ultimately involved in a social change movement. Violence is not inevitable. It’s not like cancer; we have a cure. We know what the signs are and when to step in.”