April 21, 2004

Take Back The Night Events Will Address Male Violence Against Women

The Boise State University Women’s Center will host the annual Take Back the Night: Will Work for Change vigil Wednesday, May 5, featuring a variety of activities. Take Back the Night is an international rally and march organized in local communities to raise awareness of male violence against women, children and families. It originated in Germany in 1973 in response to a series of sexual assaults, rapes and murders of women by men. Events for the day are as follows: - Senorita Extraviada, produced by Lourdes Portillo, 1 p.m., Jordan C Ballroom. Film and discussion about the rape and murders of hundreds of women in Juarez, Mexico. In this border town where many American corporations are established, women come from miles away to work. Hundreds of them have been raped, murdered or have disappeared. Learn more about this situation and pick up a postcard to send to Mexican President Vincente Fox and U.S. senators and Idaho state officials to voice their concern and call for action. - Wrestling with Manhood, produced by Jackson Katz, 3 p.m., Jordan C Ballroom. Documentary and discussion about the stories of professional wrestling and the construction of contemporary manhood and their links to violence against women and other men. - “Working for Change” vigil of remembrance, 8 p.m., the Boise State Quad. This vigil will be a time to hear from victims and other concerned citizens in the community. It will include poetry and musical performances. Following the rally, participants will walk to the Friendship Bridge to throw flowers in the river as a sign of respect and remembrance for all those victimized. In addition to these activities, a visual art display will be set up on the Quad. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 11 men will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetimes. The display will represent statistically how many male and female students on the Boise State campus are affected by that statistic; 2,500 women and 800 men are estimated to be victims of sexual assault on Boise State’s campus. Volunteers will answer questions and provide educational information. Among the groups supporting and endorsing this year’s Take Back the Night: Will Work for Change activities are: Idaho Women’s Network, Boise Women’s and Children’s Alliance, BGLAD, The Women of Color Alliance, Planned Parenthood Federation of Idaho, Boise State Housing, Student Union and Student Involvement, and Health, Wellness and Counseling. For more information about Take Back the Night, call the Women’s Center at 426-4259, or visit womenscenter.boisestate.edu on the Web. -30- Contact Melissa Wintrow Women’s Center 208 426-4259 Media Contacts Sherry Squires communications and marketing 208 426-1563 Angela Jones communications and marketing 208 426-3196