To honor domestic abuse awareness month and survivors of power and gender-based violence, the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) sponsored the fourth annual “Take Back the Campus” rally and resource fair on Tuesday. Sam Schmitt, graduate intern of the WRC, was in charge of the event in collaboration with WRC director Kathy Burleson.

“We want to address and interrupt gender based violence and other forms of violence in our community and this event allows us [to] identify strategies for changing that dynamic and creating space for survivors to speak and have a voice,” Schmitt said.

With an estimated turnout of 100 students and community members, and months of planning, Schmitt hoped to spread awareness of sexual and physical violence both on and off-campus as well as educating people on the resources available to them and their peers. By bringing in speakers and organizations, he wanted to get people from the community and students involved in ways that both benefitted them and made them feel comfortable.

During the planning process, Schmitt said, “We are going to have an amazing mix-up of performers and speakers this year.”

Schmitt worked to get the community involved once again. There were a few off-campus organizations involved, including the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Rape, Bisexual Organizing Project, the Deaf Domestic Violence Program and Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition.

After the resource fair, Making Waves featured various speakers, musicians and performers, along with poetry readings. At the end of the night, Glam Doll doughnuts were made available thanks to a generous contribution from the owners.