Friday, April 28, 2000
Rally draws attention to rape
By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Marchers carry a banner through Bicentennial Commons.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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One by one, rape victims walked to the podium and told their story — sometimes for the first time — for the world to hear.
“Hi, my name is Anna. I have been a victim all my life, and this day means a lot to me. It shows that even though I couldn't fight during those late nights, I can fight now.”
For Anna Daniels, the annual Take Back the Night observance Thursday even ing was more than just a rally to draw attention to the problem of violence against women. It was part of her healing.
“It means a lot to see people who have been through what I have been through fighting this together,” said the 27-year-old from Dayton, Ky. “There are a lot of people out there who are being abused right now. But just with us gathering together, we can fight for them to.”
Hundreds of survivors of rape gathered with family members at 7:30 p.m. in Bicentennial Commons and proceeded across the Southgate-Taylor Bridge to Newport. The rally continued at the World Peace Bell across from the Newport Courthouse. After a ringing of the bell, the group held a candlelight march back across the bridge, ending in Cincinnati.
Many women talked about the fear that a serial rapist who has terrorized some Tristate communities will strike again.
Two weeks ago Thursday was the two-year anniversary of a serial rapist's first documented attack. DNA tests have linked the unidentified, blue-eyed, red-haired man to five rapes in Mason, Montgomery and Colerain Township.
“We always need more people to come out for this event,” said Holly Sowels, one of the organizers. “If the Reds were playing, thousands of people would come out. But something like this only draws hundreds.”
Victims and their family members hung T-shirts, which they decorated to express their feelings, on a clothesline at the base of the peace bell to document their pain and suffering, aid in the healing process and celebrate their strength and courage to overcome the past.
Take Back the Night rallies have been held throughout the United States since 1978. Marches are also held in Latin America, India and Europe.
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