Take Back the Mug calls for safe space

Sarah Goetz Staff Writer

Valentine’s Day with its hearts and chocolates is a celebration of romantic love. However, not all romantic relationships remain safe and healthy. For the past several years Counseling and Assistance in Response to Rape and Exploitive Sexual Activity (CARES) has used this holiday to raise awareness about serious issues.

Last night, Feb. 13, CARES, a student-run, peer listening service, hosted Take Back the Mug Night. The event was designed to claim the Mug as a secure space and raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence against women.  

The evening began with a speak out, an open mic session in which people were free to present their own or others’ stories and express personal opinions on the issues at hand.  

“We consider Take Back the Mug to be...a safe space, a place where people won’t be judged. It’s kind of understood that it’s confidential within the space and people really feel free to speak their mind and not hold back,” said Emma Parnass ’08, a CARES counselor.

The speak-out was followed by strictly non-offensive music that was played for the rest of the night, while attendees were able to dance and relax.

“Take Back the Mug is an event that CARES has been organizing for about five years now,” said Parnass. The idea for the annual event arose out of a campaign called Take Back the Night, whose purpose is to reclaim the nighttime as a safe, unthreatening time.  

The movement dates back to 1976, when women held vigils at the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Belgium to condemn and protest the perpetuation of violence against women. Since its beginning, Take Back the Night has provided a forum in which victims of violent acts can be heard and can reclaim their right to be free from violence.

CARES attempted to accomplish similar goals with its localized version of the event. “Take Back the Mug is our way of reclaiming the Mug as a safe space,” Parnass said.  

“A lot of the stuff that we deal with in CARES is in response to spaces on campus in which people have been violated,” she added.  

Parnass further noted that “the Mug is a…common spot for inappropriate things that can make women feel violated.”  

The Mug provided a space specific to the College in which some of these important issues could be addressed.

For Parnass and other members of CARES, the ultimate goal of the event was to create an environment not only where people felt safe and comfortable, but also where they felt they could share their experiences.

“The best thing that could happen is that someone who feels like they’ve been holding something in…can share it because it’s a safe space,” Parnass said. “It’s really wonderful when people are affected by the stories they hear there…it just brings awareness to everyone.”