Take Back the Night at Black Hills State

Ryder Blair|January 20, 2023

Christian F.

Black Hills State University’s Psychology club members (left to right) Lexie Bendigo, Kyra Thompson, Elsie Schafer, Celsey Selland, and Tayler Reuer host annual Take Back the Night Event in Jonas Science 305.

Black Hills State University’s Psychology Club hosted the fifth Yellow Jacket Take Back the Night Event last month in Jonas 305 to fight against sexual and domestic violence in the community. 

 

Take Back the Night by BHSU’s Psychology Club is to raise awareness against domestic violence and sexual assault on campus or in the community. Psychology Club Student Executives in charge of this event include: 

 

  • President – Elsie Schafer 
  • Vice President – Kyra Thompson 
  • Public Relations – Lexie Bendigo 
  • Treasurer – Celsey Selland  
  • Secretary – Tayler Reuer 

Vice President Kyra Thompson lead the event with an estimated 215 people attending. Club executive members, Campus Security Phil Pesheck, Bernie McFarling of Ellsworth Air Force Base, Title IX Dir. Breon Derby, Head of Artemis House Stephen Digioia, and sexual assault survivor Senina Borg also headed the event.  

  

Borg opened the presentation to share how sexual assault affected her own life. She reached out to the body of students to educate individuals about sexual assault. Unfolding her story revealed how survivors of similar issues can find help and receive closure.  

 

Spearfish Police Department also made an appearance in the meeting. Informing listeners about an officers role with in helping with a domestic violence or sexual assault case. One officer noted to the survivor kits that can be accessed by individuals for free at local hospitals in SD. 

 

Title IX Dir. Breon Derby and Campus Security Phil Pesheck discussed campus roles in the prevention of solicit acts around campus. Educating students to distinguish the difference between the school or police having jurisdiction of a reported case. 

 

Head of Artemis House Digioia and McFarling of Ellsworth both stood during the meeting in discussion. Addressing issues and solutions around campus and in the community. 

 

BHSU celebrates the Title IX 50 year anniversary. Psychology Club and other community members host Take Back the Night event. Encouraging for students to come forward and fight back against sexual assault and domestic violence. 

 

Talk to any psychology professor or any current club member to join. For more information go to the BHSU school website .