Area Organizations Will Unite Against Domestic Violence at Take Back the Night Rally

(KNSI) – Central MN Take Back the Night will bring together anti-domestic violence advocates from across the region on October 2nd for a high-profile event in downtown St. Cloud.

Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center Volunteer Coordinator Bri Cornell is a member of the event’s planning committee. She says it kicks off at about 5:30 p.m. with area organizations tabling at Eastman Park and Lake George. The most powerful portion of the program starts about 45 minutes later. “6:15-ish, we will start the rally portion, where we’ll have some speakers. We will read names of people who have unfortunately passed due to domestic violence or sexual violence, and then, around 7:00 p.m., we will start the march portion.”

The keynote speaker has dedicated her life to help end domestic violence. Cornell talks about the impact of Rebecca Kotz, a former member of her group. “When she was employed with the sexual assault center, she helped create the first Safe Harbor program for survivors of trafficking and then the first accountability program for male offenders of sexual exploitation here in central Minnesota.”

Kotz was also the director of the St. Cloud State University Women’s Center. She is a consultant, writer, and relationship coach on the subject.

The final portion is the march. It will go throughout the downtown area. The event is hosted by the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center, Central Minnesota Advocacy Center, Sex and Relationship Self Advocacy, Anna Marie’s Alliance, Zonta, and others.

___