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Shatter the Silence: University holds ‘Take Back the Night’ event

LOCK HAVEN -- With Sexual Assault Awareness month coming to a close, Commonwealth University-Lock Haven hosted their annual "Take Back the Night" event at the Poorman Ampitheater.

Dr. Lisette Schillig, HOPE Center director and professor in the English Department, welcomed the audience to the annual event, and offered a disclaimer for those in attendance.

"The material tonight may be triggering for some as it relates to topics of sexual assault," she warned. "If you're uncomfortable at any point, feel free to excuse yourself, and HOPE staff and members of Roads to Peace will be available this evening if you need to talk to anyone."

Schillig was excited to have so many individuals in attendance to support the effort to raise awareness about sexual assault.

"If you need anyone to talk to, you've come to a good place," said Schillig.

HOPE Center staff, Olivia Hanna, Abigail Masorti and Bridget Miller, introduced themselves briefly before giving information on the HOPE Center.

"We exist to support, empower and enlighten all students about issues of sex, gender, sexual violence, personal safety and health, social justice and educational equity. Our programs and events are designed to foster open discussion and intellectual exchange about these and other issues to promote an overall sense of well-being and to create a safe campus climate for all," said Hanna.

The HOPE Center, located in Ulmer 100, offers a variety of services to students. Above all, the HOPE Center is a safe space on campus for students to discuss issues that relate to sexual assault and relationship violence.

The advisory board and staff members can refer students to the university's counseling services as well as offer resources available on and off campus.

The HOPE Center acts as a connection between the university and community resources, such as Roads to Peace, and will help students find information they need about resources in other counties and communities.

Gigi Kilroe spoke next, offering her own survivor story for those in the audience to hear. She shared with everyone how she overcame her own trauma of incest, dating violence and sexual assault.

Kilroe is also a speaker for Resilent Voices out of the Office of Victim Advocate in Harrisburg, a member of the Crime Victim Alliance of Pennsylvania and a member of the Speakers Bureau for RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.)

"After a very long journey of healing, this is now my passion," said Kilroe. "I love it. I've had a chance to speak all over the state to over 1,000 people. There's 23 state prisons in Pennsylvania and they've partnered with the Office of Victim Advocate… I want to get to all 23 prisons and I've been to 13. It's wonderful because I meet survivors and offenders."

The opportunity to show offenders the lifelong impact their actions have on their victims, said Kilroe, opens the floor for really great dialogue.

"I have spoken to people from ages 13 to 73, and I will keep doing this until I can't," said Kilroe. "I needed a Gigi in my life, and I didn't have one. The biggest thing I tell survivors is that no one has the right to extinguish the light that shines within you."

The event also had many student and staff speakers: Megan Wein, from health sciences; Ashley Beach, from psychology; Hadly Raven, a HOPE Center graduate assistant, Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Mia Swales, a student success specialist and assistant to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Cheyenne Brickley, outreach coordinator for Roads to Peace, also spoke during the event.

"I think it should be Sexual Assault Awareness month every month," said Schillig. "But thank you everyone who came to support the efforts (for awareness.) You taking time (out of your busy schedules) is really appreciated and important."