Indiana State University Newsroom

This year, participants at the annual "Take Back the Night" rally at Indiana State University won't stand outside freezing. For the first time at Indiana State University, the rally will take place in Dede I on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m.

The event was moved inside due to expected cold temperatures, as the event is taking place in late November, said Linda Maule, associate professor of political science and women's studies and general education coordinator.

Each year the rally focuses on ending violence based on gender so that everyone may live a "Life without Fear," which is the theme for this year's rally.

The march to "Take Back the Night" will take place around campus as a demonstration against gender violence immediately following the rally.

Students in Maule's Women's Studies 450: Student Activism, Theory and Practice class plan the annual event. Faculty, staff and students at Indiana State, as well as members of the Terre Haute community and beyond, are invited to attend.

"It helps students understand what it's like in the real world, gives them a different perspective on what is going on outside the college campus that they might not know about," Marley Hancock, a junior legal studies major and member of the publicity committee, said about the rally. "As college students, we have the opportunity to educate a wide variety of people."

Through personal stories and experience, poems and a video presentation, participants in the rally will learn about the widespread effects of gender-based violence and ways to end that violence.

"I feel like I've been really sheltered, so it's really a learning experience to see how resilient people are," Hancock said.

From 5-6 p.m., students from the class as well as campus and community organizations will have information about abuse available at booths as part of the resource fair, an opportunity for people to understand the widespread effects of abuse.

The students also are collecting donations for the Council on Domestic Abuse (CODA), a local nonprofit organization that provides counseling and shelter for women and children who are domestic abuse victims. Donations of feminine products, Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels and other items may be dropped off in the mezzanine of the general education department in Rhoads Hall or at the rally on Nov. 30.

The students are also accepting donations for CODA's 365 campaign, where a donation of $3.65 will help shelter a woman suffering from domestic violence.

"It's extremely important to get involved in organizations off campus," Hancock said. "College students bring a different perspective to outside organizations."

The class is selling t-shirts for $10, long-sleeved shirts for $12 and hoodies for $20. To pre-order shirts, take money to the General Education Department in Rhoads Hall or call 812-237-3940. Proceeds from the shirts will be donated to CODA.

Contact: Linda Maule, associate professor of political science and women's studies and general education coordinator, Indiana State University, 812-237-3941 or linda.maule@indstate.edu.

Writer: Lana Schrock, media relations assistant, Indiana State University, 812-237-3773 or lschrock1@indstate.edu.