Akron Stop The Violence Movement  plans to "Take Back The Night"

By

Lavert B

The streets resounded with the sounds of children jumping rope, kicking balls, and racing back and forth across the streets.  Families stood on their porches.  The Sun was out, and so was the Akron Stop the Violence movement as they took to the streets canvassing the neighborhood promoting their next event.  "Take Back the night".  Is a night where survivors of sexual assault, rape, incest, and domestic violence come together to strengthen one another and encourage others who have been victims of violence. According to RAIIN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) Every 2 minutes someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.  54% of sexual assaults are never reported to law enforcement.  97% of rapist will never spend a day in jail.  80% of victims are under age 30, and 44% are under age 18.  with such startling high incidents coupled with low numbers of victims reporting.  Sexual assaults are threatening the safety of many communities across the nation.  Akron Stop Violence Movement president Darrita Davis and others were out on Akron's westside encourging members of the community to come out to a rally on saturday 4/13/13 at First Grace United Church of Christ to speak up & speak out against rape and other violent crimes.

Davis spoke with parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and teenagers about a particular new trend in gang rape being used by assailants in low income communities.  Assailants are enlisting the help of young children in their efforts to abuse potential victims.  Young children are being given a slip of paper with an address on it (most likely an abandoned house) and then told to explain to young women that they are lost and that their address is on the piece of paper.  Once the victim is taken to the address they are taken inside and ganged raped.  Victims of sexual assault suffer way beyond the initial attack, and deal with a multitude of psychological issues which most often times do effect the overall health and life of the individual.  After a traumatic event, it is typical to have feelings of anxiety, fear, and stress.  This is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Getting treatment as soon as possible after PTSD symptoms develop may prevent the disorder from becoming long term.

 Davis spoke with some young women in the neighborhood, and warned them to take precautions.  "Stay together, communicate often with family, and friends, and use protective mechanisms i.e. mace).   If you know someone has been sexually assaulted or in an abusive relationship there are things to consider when thinking about safety.  Create a plan, be conscious of exits, or escape routes.  Think about options for transportation, traveling late at night etc. Davis also encouraged the youth, and others to come out to the church on Saturday to hear stories of victims that they may be able to grasp a better understanding on how these things happen.  For more information check out the link to "Take back the night below."  Also contact Darrita Davis or the Akron Stop The violence movement.

https://www.facebook.com/events/317580451678278/?fref=t

stoptheviolencemovementakron@yahoo.com; STVAM12@gmail.com