Idaho State University’s Anderson Center to host 13th annual Take Back the Night march, rally on May 4

The Anderson Gender Resource Center at Idaho State University will hosts its 13^th annual Take Back the Night event Friday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m.

The event, which is free and open to all, will begin in Old Town Pocatello outside Family Services Alliance, 355 S. Arthur.

Cohosts for the event include Family Services Alliance (FSA), Old Town Pocatello Art Walk, Bannock County Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force, Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health and Family Court Services Sixth District.

Mayor Blad will speak at FSA and free T-shirts and drawstring bags will be distributed, beginning at 5:15 p.m. The march will then go along Main Street to Old Town Pavilion where there will be free food, a free raffle, speakers and live music from the band Blind Autumn. For the first time, events will be coordinated with the Old Town Art Walk. Additionally, local artist Anne Kratz (Vest) has been working together with survivors of sexual assault and allies to produce an art installation exclusively for this occasion, which will be displayed at the Pavilion and unveiled at the event. Kratz's project has been funded through a grant from the Office on Women’s Health.*    

Take Back the Night, which raises awareness and support to fight against violence towards women, began in Belgium in 1976. It is now a worldwide event concerning an issue which affects countless individuals. It is estimated that one in six women and one in eleven men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, meaning we all know or have met somebody affected.

Take Back the Night is a chance to take a stand, show support and help raise awareness to make Pocatello a safer place. Local entities and businesses will come together to show their support in the fight against sexual assault.

For questions and further information, please contact the Anderson Center at 208-282-2805.

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*Funding for this project was made possible in part by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women's Health. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators at HHS co-sponsored conferences, do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.