Take Back the Night begins semester with concert

Several new adjustments will be made to the 10th annual Take Back The Night schedule. The organization will first kick off the semester with its upcoming benefit concert Feb. 8. at Grafton-Stovall Theatre from 8 to 10 p.m.

Tickets for the concert are on sale Feb. 1 and 2 on the commons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets cost $5 each prepaid or $6 at the door.

"I’m looking forward to the benefit concert because it’s the first thing major that we’ve advertised for, gotten under our wings," said sophomore Ann Nason, advertising committee head.

TBTN is a worldwide organization dedicated to helping both female and male victims of sexual assault and abuse. Each year, the JMU chapter enlists two keynote speakers who bring personal stories and perspectives on sexual violence.

About 50 to 60 JMU students are involved with the coalition on campus. Planning for the event started as early as November.

Senior Christine Spilman, assistant coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center said, "I’m looking forward to seeing the planning and really knowing what the outcome will be; getting excited about other people getting excited about it."

This year, the TBTN coalition will do something different by having a "secret" guest speaker appear at the end of the concert.

For the TBTN finale, scheduled for March 29, a few changes will be made to the order of the night’s events.

A candlelight march follows the concert. After the march, students are welcome to a post-TBTN reception in the WRC office.

"Anyone or everyone who feels that they might want to talk to somebody after all of this or just really isn’t feeling like going home yet because it is such an emotional night is welcome to come up here to the center," said sophomore Sarah Smith, TBTN co-head.

Another change this year is that the TBTN coalition will set up a prevention booth on the commons March 30. Contact information and pamphlets will be available to students who want to learn more about sexual assault prevention and how to obtain professional help.