Clarke Hosts “Take Back the Night”

Clarke University will host “Take Back the Night” on April 3 in partnership with Loras College, Northeast Iowa Community College, and University of Dubuque to raise awareness of sexual violence in all forms and support survivors in their healing. This free community event will start at 7 p.m. on the Clarke University campus in Catherine Byrne Hall. 

Take Back the Night is the oldest movement to end all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment, and relationship violence, and to support survivors. All are welcome to this safe, supported, educational Dubuque Community event to “speak out and stand up.” Whether you are a survivor, an ally, or curious, your presence can make a difference to taking back the darkness of night and bringing light to all those affected. 

Participants will have an opportunity to share their experiences with an open mic and hear from keynote speaker Melissa Culbertson. Melissa is a self-help coach and Reiki specialist who owns One.Sound Meditation Studio. There she offers Self-Love Courses and emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-awareness for healing. She will share her story of sexual assault and her message of healing in her address. Following the keynote, all are welcome to take part in the closing vigil.  

Organizers have also partnered with over a dozen are organizations to highlight local resources for sexual assault survivors and their allies, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Crisis Intervention Service, Callisto, and more.