Take Back the Night 2026

We attended Take Back the Night last night at the Decatur Public Library hosted by our local organization Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center. We tabled to support survivors and this local organization while raising awareness and money to support student research assistants in the lab. Take Back The Night is a global mission to end all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment, and relationship violence, and to support survivors in their healing journeys. They had an open mix for survivor to chare their stories or read poetry, a crafting station with friendship bracelets, a photo booth, and information about sexual violence. The theme this year was together we rise and looked to promote the voices of local survivors. I was able to see several Millikin students and supporters that I knew from the community. I was also able to hear from a friend and local survivor about the exploitation and abuse she experienced in Macon County. Here are some of my favorite photos from the event!


Former Research Assistant turned Director of Counseling Services at Growing Strong.

 
Me at our Human Trafficking Research Lab table with my shirt from Marta Centrs that reads No Mean s No in both Latvian and English.

Former Millikin student in my human trafficking class and Growing Strong intern receiving the 2026 Outstanding Community Member Award.


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