SUNY Brockport’s Health Promotion and Prevention Education, the Center for Gender and Sexuality Diversity (CGSD), and the Hazen Center for Counseling and Wellbeing came together to host another edition of Take Back the Night on April 14, 2025.
The event was designed to engage students in the fight against sexual assault and violence. It began in the Seymour College Union ballroom, where individuals found information tables staffed by both on-campus and off-campus representatives. A series of guest speakers followed, including sexual assault survivors. Then, a group march around campus concluded the event.
SUNY Brockport’s Assistant Director of Wellbeing Ashley Breth played a key role in organizing the event.
“Take Back the Night is really focused around combating violence and supporting survivors, and this year we’ve put specific emphasis around self-care and support,” Breth said. “We know that there’s a lot happening outside of these walls and a lot of unsettling things, and we’re leaning into this topic, but also knowing and having some metaphors to some bigger topical things like mental health and self-care.”
Breth emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of community in a small college town.
“I think looking around the room, we see that we see the pockets of community and people expanding those,” Breth said. “I think when we lean into those circles of support, people are more likely to talk about something that’s maybe unsettling before something were to occur. Those red flags, which are so so important that were seeing beforehand because prevention is possible.”
Students have many resources available to them even after the event’s conclusion.
“One of the things we’re emphasizing tonight is expanding their [students] circle of support so everyone that’s coming in is getting a Calla Lily and on there, there are different resource cards,” Breath said. “One of them is the SUNY saver card, and if they scan the QR code, they can go to both on-campus and off-campus resources, which is really great. Specifically, the Title IX office, Residential Life and Hazen for mental health and physical health is super important.”
Guest speakers at the event included the CGSD Coordinator Kristina Collier, a current student and sexual assault survivor, a representative from Restore Sexual Assault Services, counselors from the Educational Opportunity Program, and concluding remarks were given by Brockport Student Government President (BSG) Tenin Sidime.
Sidime acknowledged the important role BSG plays in connecting with the student body in times of need.
“Being part of BSG, being a leader, our elections are open now, so taking positions like the BSG President, the Vice President, the Treasurer and Senator At Large, that’s one way of advocating for students wants and needs on and off campus and making sure we partner up with departments like this,” Sidime said. “Having these events, making sure that students are aware that we have resources for them, even if it’s not sponsored by Brockport, there’s a community out there that’s willing to help the student body as a whole.”
SUNY Brockport junior Kate Sturiale said attending the event was beneficial.
“I know a lot of people that have gone through stuff like this, and I want to be a good support for them, and learning more about other people’s stories and experiences, I feel, was very important to me,” Sturiale said.
Sturiale found that feeling comfortable is a large part of ensuring she will have the best experience in her time at Brockport.
“I feel like I’m very observant, I’m always looking out, if I see something, I honestly do say something,” Sturiale said. “I’m very close with my RAs and have been for the past two years, so I feel comfortable going to them if I need to.”
Take Back the Night has become a global movement that encourages everyone to get involved. More information is available at takebackthenight.org.
Throughout April, various university departments at Brockport will continue to hold events promoting awareness and support around topics of sexual assault and awareness.
