About 25 people circled around a fire Tuesday night and, one by one, burned names from their pasts.
Strips of paper, pens, pencils and tissues were passed around the field behind McCracken Hall as sexual assault and violence survivors, or their family and friends, shared their experiences. They threw the names of the people who had assaulted or hurt them into a fire, symbolizing their desire to put the experiences in the past.
“It was actually the first time I’ve been to one, so it was nice for me to experience it,” said Talie Carter, an intern for the Women’s Affairs Commission. “I also appreciated being able to hear the stories of others and to know I’m not alone.”
One in four women is raped before finishing four years of college, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Survivor Advocacy Program Coordinator Brenda Strickland attended the event to offer her expertise to those who have experienced sexual assault and said the act of writing and then burning a name with a group of survivors can be healing.
“I think it’s very beneficial, helpful and therapeutic for people and students,” she said. “This is just a good, safe way to talk about (sexual assault). It’s a great way for people to find support among others because I think sometimes, especially college-age students, some may think they’re the only one that’s experienced this.”
The encouragement was not only shared between women around the fire. Two men, also survivors, were in the crowd.
Emma Wright, Student Senate Women’s Affairs commissioner, said the event offered an open and accepting environment for those who attended.
“I think it went very well,” she said. “It’s a very emotional experience every year. I think it’s a great event for people to be able to come and release a lot of things they keep bottled up.”
je726810@ohiou.edu
