Take back the night

Brittany Piper is the keynote speaker for UNC Charlotte’s annual “Take Back the Night” event, which will start at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 11, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.

Piper is an international activist, speaker and healing and wellness coach whose work has been recognized by the U.S. Army, the Clinton Foundation, Elite Daily, Yoga Journal and more. Additionally, she is co-founder of On the Mend, a women’s holistic healing retreat that supports survivors of trauma by empowering self-love, and she is considered a leading expert on sexual violence prevention and recovery. She also has worked as a photojournalist for women’s organizations in conflict countries and is the founder of Love Conquers Photography, a social enterprise dedicated to ending child marriage.

Sexual violence and intimate partner violence impacts as many as one in four women and one in six men around the world, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender identity or sexual orientation.

The University’s Take Back the Night event is an opportunity for the campus and greater communities to honor not only the survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence but the people who loved and supported them through their healing journey.

Following Piper’s presentation, there will be a candlelit walk to the Belk Plaza, where survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence can publicly share their stories during a “speak out.”

Take Back the Night is a nonprofit organization, and events are held worldwide in more than 30 countries.