Take Back the Night founder at EMCC to address date rape

Published 3:33 pm Tuesday, February 7, 2017

East Mississippi Community College will host speaker Katie Koestner, founder of Take Back the Night, who will speak to students about date rape. 

Koestner will present a “Powerful Personal Story with a Message about Alcohol, Respect and Bystanders,” covering date rape, the role of alcohol, the role of bystanders, reporting and healthy relationships to the students of East Mississippi Community College.

Koestner appeared in publications and national television programs such as TIME Magazine, The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and more. 

Previously, Koestner had testified on Capitol Hill and helped pass federal student safety legislation.

After Koestner’s general presentation to the students she will hold an additional program with EMCC coaches on the “Best Practices for Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response.” This will outline when heated arguments become abusive relationships and what coaches can do to empower their athletes to become active bystanders. 

The free event, open to the public, is scheduled at 7 p.m. in the Stennis Auditorium of East Mississippi Community College, located at 1512 Kemper St., Scooba.

The event, sponsored by Weems Community Mental Health Center, The Smarter Choices Coalition and EMCC, was funded by a grant from the Department of Mental Health.