The Women’s Center at UTC and Partnership for Families, Children and Adults will present “Take Back the Night Chattanooga,” an evening to take a stance against sexual assault and domestic violence. Take Back the Night will be held on October 23 at the Oak Street Amphitheatre on the UTC campus. “Take Back the Night” is an international march and rally to bring awareness to sexual assault and domestic violence.
Chattanooga’s “Take Back the Night” will include nationally recognized guest speaker Katie Hnida, the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I football game. Hnida will tell her story of surviving sexual assault by teammates while playing at the University of Colorado. Jessica Cookston, local sexual assault survivor, will share her personal story of survival while leading a candlelight vigil to remember those affected by violence.
The evening will also include a march through Chattanooga’s Fortwood Historic District to symbolize the walk through darkness many women take in order to get to their home or vehicle, which can often be a fearful experience. The march will raise awareness about all forms of violence and allow a united community to walk through our city streets. All are invited to participate.
It happens in our community
Seventeen-years-old and her senior year of high school were just beginning. The world was full of opportunity and excitement, but one horrific act swept it all away.
Jessica Cookston describes the trauma she felt after being raped ten years ago, “It was such a shock to my system to have something I was supposed to have the freedom to give away taken in such a violent manner. I reported it to the police, but nothing was done, and I was denied medical care at four clinics.”
Devastated, Cookston struggled for years to rebuild her life on her own.
Last year, at 26 years-old, the unthinkable happened: Cookston was attacked and raped again. She fought the attacker but without success. How could this horrible crime happen to her again? Scarred by her past experience, Cookston didn’t report the assault to the police. She instead searched online for a clinic specializing in care for sexual assault victims. She found Partnership for Families, Children and Adults Rape Crisis Center.
“The Partnership Rape Crisis Center gave me the medical care I needed. The sexual assault advocate and nurses were supportive and compassionate. Partnership also provided me with counseling and introduced me to Kelly,” Cookston says.
Kelly, counselor at RCC, listened to Cookston for as long as she needed. Cookston found strength, hope and eventually her own voice. Kelly encouraged Cookston to write out her thoughts and feelings in a journal to begin a therapeutic healing process. These thoughts became much more, and Cookston began writing a novel to express herself.
Cookston’s work of fiction, “Hope Never Holds,” has allowed her to move forward and also help other victims cope with sexual assault. Her novel is now producing sales on Amazon. With “Hope Never Holds,” Cookston strives to raise awareness about sexual assault and teach victims how to rebuild.
Cookston now gives back to Partnership and advocates for ending violence in our community, “Partnership has been a monumental driving force in my life. Without their help, I would not be the woman I am now. I appreciate Partnership and those who support what they are doing. Together, we have strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Together, we can come together and speak out.”
One in six women will experience sexual assault. In 2012, Partnership’s Rape Crisis Center served 300 individuals in the local community. At Partnership, victims are greeted in a safe, calm setting. A sexual assault advocate and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner comfort the victim and accommodate to individual needs. The forensic exam is completed in a secure room where evidence is protected. Counseling is provided. Court advocacy is available. These services are provided at no cost.
Source: Partnership for Families, Children and Adults