USAFA 'takes back the night'

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
  • Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  
The entire Cadet Wing gathered on the terrazzo here to "Take back the night" April 17 and recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson opened the event before Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost spoke to raise awareness about sexual assault.

Johnson lit a bonfire and the Cadet Wing joined together to "light the sky" with Glow Sticks to affirm their motto of maintaining a culture of respect.

Home to 4,000 cadets and more than 1,000 federal and civilian employees, the Academy works to foster a safe environment with its zero-tolerance policy on sexual assault, said the USAFA sexual assault response coordinator, Teresa Beasley.

"'Take Back the night' was initiated in 1970 in San Francisco and continues worldwide to raise awareness of violence, especially sexual assault, and symbolically 'take back the night' by lighting it up, typically using candles," she said.

Take Back the Night events are held to proclaim the right of people to move freely in their communities day and night, without sexual harassment or assault," Beasley said.

Visit www.usafa.edu/Commandant/art/index.cfm?catname=SARC-ART for more information.