SASHA CENTER Presents Take Back the Night - Friday, April 11TH

April 3, 2014 - PRLog -- PRESS RELEASE          Contact:         The Green Group
         pgreen@plgreengroup.com
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SASHA (Sexual Assault Services for Holistic Healing and Awareness) CENTER PRESENTS TAKE BACK THE NIGHT - DETROIT

For Immediate Release:

Detroit, MI – April 1, 2014 – SASHA (Sexual Assault Services for Holistic Healing and Awareness) CENTER,  a 501©3 not for profit organization founded in 2010, will present Take Back The Night – Detroit (TBTND) on Friday, April 11, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on the campus of Marygrove College, 8450 W. McNichols – Detroit MI 48221. TBTND is sponsored by the SASHA CENTER and Marygrove College.

Take Back the Night is a national observance designed to highlight and end the violence that is consistently perpetuated against women.  The Detroit event was launched six years ago under the leadership of the founder and CEO of SASHA CENTER, Kalimah Johnson.  Through its Women’s Center, Margrove College has participated as the co-sponsor of the Detroit event for five years.  “This unique partnership between SASHA CENTER and Marygrove College serves as an anchor in the movement to end violence against women in Detroit,” said Johnson.  “With violence against women on the rise on college campus around the country, our partnership with Marygrove allows us to reach women attending college that may have been or may know of someone who has experience sexual assault and helps them to find the resources and support to begin the healing”, continued Johnson.

TBTND will consist of a candlelight vigil, a healing tent, wall of hope collaborative art making, DJ, spoken word performances and a rally/march through the neighborhood.  “We hope by participating in this important event, we are sending a message to our students, that violence against women will not be tolerated at Marygrove or in our community” said Julie Laforet Co-Chair of TBTND and Research Associate Teaching Assistant in the Social Work Department.

SASHA CENTER was recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Violence Against Women in 2013.  SASHA CENTER supports survivors of violence through providing the opportunity to commit to healing on their own terms and by instructing and employing specific language and understanding of the world around them.  African American women have a long history of being victims of sexual violence and SASHA CENTER provides peer support groups specifically designed for them so that they can end their silence and allow the healing to begin.

According to the 2007 U.S. Department of Justice - National Crime Victimization Survey a rape, attempted rape or sexual assault will occur every 2 minutes in the United States.  Nearly 60% of rape/sexual assault victims do not report their victimization to the police.  The 2005 U.S. Department of Justice National Crime Victimization Study stated that approximately 2/3 of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.  Perpetrators were acquaintances, friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, or family members.

A 2007 Michigan Crime Statistics study found that nearly one in five adult Michigan residents reported that they had been the victim of rape or attempted rape during their lifetime; 28.5% of female respondents and 7.4% of male respondents have experienced this devastating crime at some point in their lives.   “With these startling statistics the community as a whole needs to be informed and prepared to develop comprehensive strategies for prevention and programs to encourage healing, “said Johnson.

SASHA CENTER is looking for individuals, groups, businesses and organizations to support TBTND by completing an Endorsement form to confirm their participation.  The Endorsement form is available by email at info@sashacenter.org or by calling 1-888-865-7055.

To interview SASHA CENTER Founder & CEO Kalimah Johnson, contact The Green Group at pgreen@plgreengroup.com or 313-443-2635.