Background
In the 1970s and 1980s, feminists became more vocal about issues of responsibility and blame in incidents of sexual violence. Traditional views suggested women could prevent sexual violence by acting or dressing certain ways. Feminists argued that a victim of an attack should not be held responsible or blamed because of her sexual history or manner of dress.
By the late 1970s, local feminist groups regularly organized events to protest violence against women under the name Take Back the Night. The public protests aimed to reclaim spaces in which women felt unsafe. The local nature of the organizations meant that the marches were typically organized in response to an assault within the community. By the 1980s, Take Back the Night events were common on college campuses across the United States. The events often included candlelight vigils and speeches by survivors, followed by a march.
Images
“Take Back the Night photograph,” 1980s. Duke University Archives via Flickr.
Take Back the Night flyer. University of Illinois Library.
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