Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay

Thank you so much for your support and participation in Take Back the Night on April 17, 2010. The event was a huge success!  We impacted many lives and helped to transform suffering into freedom. Together, we raised our voices to honor many journeys of healing and spread awareness about sexual violence in our community!

Coverage for Take Back the Night was on two different news channels! Click below to see these stories of hope and impact.

Annual Event Focuses On Sex Assault Victims

'Taking Back The Night' and putting an end to domestic violence

Words cannot describe the event, the impact and the message we sent to the community. 

To be completely honest, I have not fully processed the event and the magnitude of lives touched.  I cannot do justice in thanking all the amazing individuals involved or describing the event. So many amazing people came together to support survivors of sexual violence and raise awareness.

David Braughton, President & CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, recapped Take Back the Night perfectly in an email addressed to Crisis Center staff:

Dear Coworker,

Some came to share their suffering; some their hope.  Some came to support the women and children whose lives had been scarred by violence.  Some came to take a stand and some were just passerbys.  Regardless of why they came, nearly 500 people attended this year’s Take Back the Night event held Saturday night in Hyde Park Village.  They listened, they sang, they marched and lit candles; they cried and sometimes, even laughed.  They stood beneath a cloud-filled sky defying it to rain and heard heroes – Chief of Police Jane Castor, Major Bob Staehle, survivors Daunta Swain, Emily Tocci, Katherine Sapp, Lepena Reid – speak.  They were inspired by the presence of men like John Tomlin, Charlie Hounchell, Ryan Nece, Commissioner Ken Hagan and Rob Shamblin, who led the other men in attendance in a pledge to end violence against women and children.  And they were distressed beyond measure by the stories of survivors, yet overwhelmed with hope and awe that because of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay so many had found help and healing; that so many had found their voice again.  

But what mattered most, perhaps, is that everyone who attended Saturday’s event left with a deepened understanding of the terrible toll that sexual violence takes upon its victims, the people who love them and our community.  They also left with a new – or in many cases, renewed – resolve to stand up and speak out against this senseless tragedy – to take back the night for the ones they love and for themselves.

Special credit and thanks goes to Marilyn Bray, Dr. Kathryn Branch, Emily Tocci, Katherine Sapp and a host of other women and men whose dedication, hard work and organizational skills made this year’s Take Back the Night possible. I also want to thank my other coworkers, who are far too numerous to be named, counselors, advocates, directors, interns, who helped to plan Take Back the Night, who helped to set up and tear down and who were there in support of survivors and everyone else in attendance.  You all were extraordinary, and I can’t tell you how humbled and proud I am to be one of you.

This year’s Take Back the Night reminded me of how far we’ve come in our efforts to raise awareness about sexual abuse and sexual violence in our community. It also reminded me of how far we have yet to go.  We need to do more in the areas of primary prevention, education and outreach.  We need to forge even stronger ties with law enforcement and the State Attorney's office.  We need to build coalitions and expand the work of the SART and SVTF.  And we need to ensure that whenever a child is abused or a woman or man is attacked, the Crisis Center is there – saving lives and restoring futures.

David Braughton

President and CEO

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

If you would like to share your experience, photos or messages, please post them on the Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay Facebook fan page.

We would be honored to have your feedback from Take Back the Night!  Please email any thoughts or suggestions to svtftampabay@gmail.com.

Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay- General Meeting

April 28, 2010

12:00PM to 1:30 PM

Family Justice Center

9309 N. Florida Avenue

Tampa, FL 33612

(813) 935-2015

Thank you,

Marilyn Bray

Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay, Chair