The below write up was done as an overview of what the rally entailed. We encourage anyone that is going to a college or university that doesn’t have a Take Back the Night Rally to look into it and see how to make it happen on your campus! If you don’t know where to start, let us know, we may be able to help you. Take Back the Night is an internationally held march and rally intended as a protest and direct action against rape and other forms of sexual violence, some campus events include domestic violence awareness along with other forms of violence and abuse awareness.
If after reading the review you would like to find out more about the book “Fingernail Moon” or Hopes Wings Shelter, please see the links and book review after the Rally review. There is also a link for upcoming Take Back the Night Events.
Take Back Your Life
Was the message for Eastern Kentucky’s Take Back the Night Rally. Janie Webster Leech shared her story about her daughter’s sexual abuse, her court battle, and her life as a fugitive after fleeing the country with her child. In 2000 she received instructions on how to hook up with the underground and yet chose to venture out on her own. Someone from the audience asked why she had to run, when she had mental health professionals who could prove her child was sexually assaulted. Many of us have asked that question as well! (can I hear an AMEN?). This mother’s story was different from what we are used to. It is a story with a happy ending, and a journey to forgiveness and healing after sexual assault. While in Dublin, her ex-husband passed away, making it safe for her to return to the US. When she did so, a judge in Fayette County KY dropped her felony charges. (Unlawful flight and child abduction).
College students from Eastern Kentucky University shared slam poetry and an assignment they had on stalking. Some students were stalked, and others did the stalking. Stalking included gifts, texting, facebook messages and more, but boundaries were set. It was interesting to hear the emotions shared of what it felt like to stalk and be stalked. That was a lesson that rippled out to their friends and hopefully will continue!
Hopes Wings, the local shelter in Madison County, has struggled with grants since it has been open, and thanks to Mary Kay, will now be open and actually be able to offer shelter!
For upcoming Take Back the Night Events please visit the calendar for upcoming April events: http://www.takebackthenight.org/calendar/week.php?day=2012-04-07
To find out more about Hopes Wings please visit their website at: http://www.hopeswings.org/
About the book “Fingernail Moon: The True Story of a Mother's Flight to Protect Her Daughter” :
Fingernail Moon, the true story of a mother and daughter’s courageous journey. An inspiring story of Janie Webster’s daring quest to save her daughter’s life.
When Webster discovered that her husband had sexually abused their daughter, her seemingly content life changed forever. She began divorce proceedings, but the court allowed unsupervised visits between father and daughter. Then her husband was diagnosed with AIDS. Terrified that he could further abuse and even infect their daughter, Janie Webster knew that she had to flee.
Mother and daughter embarked on a five-year journey around the world. Although often discouraged, they found within their physical journey a deep spiritual meaning. With God’s guidance, they established and reestablished new lives in the countries where they stayed, finding people they could trust who provided them with friendship and assistance. Despite the threat of deportation and imprisonment hanging over them, they sensed the hand of God engineering their safe passage.
Purchase “Fingernail Moon” on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fingernail-Moon-Mothers-Protect-Daughter/dp/0385495293
If your school is having a Take Back the Night Event and you would like for us to post about it either before or after please send us the information via the contact button to the left or send to Mary via email at: mary@lechrysalis.org
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