Historically, women faced the anxiety of walking alone at night; that is why TAKE BACK THE NIGHT began. The purpose of the Foundation of TBTN is to provide greater national and international visibility for the TBTN Foundation’s mission. The grassroots efforts flown under banner of TAKE BACK THE NIGHT span over thirty years, their mission is to seek to end sexual violence in all of its forms including sexual assault, sexual abuse, dating violence and domestic violence.

TBTN empowers survivors in the healing process and inspires responsibility in all. The goal of TBTN is to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiative

* One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime

* An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year

* Females between the ages of 20-24 are most likely victims of domestic violence

* Almost one-third of female homicide victims that are reported in police records are killed by an intimate

partner.

* 1 out of 6 American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. (14.8%

completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape)

* 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape.

* 7% of girls in grades 5-8 and 12% of girls in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused.

* Victims of rape are:

* 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.

* 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

* 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.

* 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

There will be speakers that are survivors and family members of victims, celebrity appearances as well as special musical performance by Jersey City’s newest talent AudioBodies featuring their hit single “FREE”.

Following the event there will be a candle lit march starting at Wagner College and continuing through the streets of Staten Island. Rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and domestic violence are often labeled “crimes of silence” because of low reporting rates and social discomfort with their public discussion. By illuminating these issues, the TAKE BACK THE NIGHT FOUNDATION’S nationwide events and initiatives help survivors to know they are not alone, and that these crimes will not be tolerated or left to go silently into the night. TBTN events seek to light the way from victim to survivor.