Student protester’s voices filled campus during the Take Back the Night march on April 6th. The march was held to protest against sexual and domestic violence. IU Student Government Title IX and Sexual Violence partnered with a group on campus called Shatter the Silence to lead the march. April is sexual violence awareness month. 

“It’s all about letting survivors know that they are not alone,” according to IUSG Vice President Bell Pastore. The march started at Sample Gates and ended at the Clothesline Project, a protest art installation to honor survivors of sexual violence. After the march, there was a candlelit vigil where people could choose to share their personal stories and experiences. Those who didn’t wish to share could just listen.

Since the beginning of the semester, there have been 8 reports of rape (some reported late) and 5 reports of sexual battery. Since August, 2022, there have been 18 reports of rape and 12 reports of sexual battery. But those are just ones reported, many go undocumented. One student group on campus called Shattering the Silence is trying to give a safe space to those affected by sexual violence. The club hosted the Clothesline Project where people could come and write on items of clothing to be hung on a clothesline. The clothes are a testimony and a tribute to those who have been impacted directly and indirectly. 

Each color of clothing represents a different survivor. White represents someone who has died as a result of sexual violence while yellow represents the survivors of physical or domestic violence. Pink, red, and orange represents the survivors of rape, blue/green for incest or childhood sexual abuse. Purple represents those who have experienced an attack due to their gender or sexual orientation, brown for those who have experienced emotional or verbal abuse, gray for survivors of abuse due to racial identity, and black for those who are disabled to do an attack. 

After just one day, the art installation was removed from campus. Kate Bangert says she believes it was IU administration but it was not confirmed. Amanda Roach is the IU communications liaison but did not respond when asked about the removal. Bangert said, “I am disappointed but not surprised. It comes at no shock that IU would rather save face with their new students than support their survivors already on campus. It proves once again that some of the best and only support survivors have on campus is through student organizations instead of our own administration.” While the removal of the art installation was challenging for those who contributed, it is not uncommon. Last year, the event was removed within four days. 

 

If you would like to know more about Shatter the Silence and how to get involved, you can find their instagram @stsbtown. Their instagram offers a link to join their club GroupMe that is open to anyone. Additionally, if you or someone you know needs to report an act of sexual violence, you can go to this incident report.