The J-TAC

Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: Katy Thompson Teegan Mullins participates in the candlight vigil at "Take Back the Night."

Tuesday, Cross Timbers Family Services hosted their "Take Back The Night" at Stephenville's town square. Accompanied by B.A.C.A., Bikers Against Child Abuse, multiple speakers, Mayor Rusty Jergins and the Stephenville High School and First Baptist Church choirs, the citizens of Stephenville showed up to rally against domestic violence.

The purpose of "Take Back the Night" is to educate the community on domestic violence with a focus on violence against women.

"The goal for tonight is to unite the community in their protest against domestic violence," said Jodee Lucero, President and CEO of Cross Timbers Family Services. Lucero opened the night with a welcome address that was followed by multiple speakers and songs by the choirs.

In the center of the participants were 120 balloons representing the 120 women who have been killed in Texas in 2007 by an intimate partner. Each balloon was attached to a slip of paper, which had each individual's information on it. When the speeches and songs were finished, they released all the balloons as a symbol of freedom for all women who have been victims of domestic violence.

The crowd then marched from the courthouse to the amphitheatre at Stephenville City Park where Rona Stratton Smith and Lisa Gilbert spoke on the night's topic. The event was closed with a candlelight vigil.

"It's very impressive to see the community involved for such a good purpose," said "Z", a member of B.A.C.A.

"Take Back The Night" began in 1973 as an attempt to educate the community on violence against women. Through the years it has grown into an international event. Cross Timbers Family Services' purpose is to give victims of domestic violence a voice and a place to find refuge. They can be reached on their 24-hour hotline at 254-965-HELP.

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