Students Rally Against Campus Sexual Violence

Take Back the Night events drew students on several college campuses Sunday night in protest of sexual violence.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a solitary stone archway with one open doorway at dusk, in deep red, cream, and charcoal, evoking campus response to sexual violence. — Students at Yale, Berkeley and other campuses rallied Sunday night in Take Back the Night protests against sexual violence, following a former Cornell student's rape lawsuit. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Students gathered on college campuses across the country Sunday night for Take Back the Night events protesting sexual violence. The gatherings followed a lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student alleging she was raped.

Why it matters

The protests highlight ongoing concerns among students about how campuses respond to sexual assault allegations. The events are part of a long-running national movement pressing for safety and accountability.

Attendance at the two reported gatherings was about 100 students at Yale and about 50 people at UC Berkeley, though no nationwide totals were reported. The Cornell lawsuit's allegations remain unadjudicated in the filings described.

The players

Take Back the Night Foundation

A nonprofit founded in 1999 to combat sexual violence through awareness events and advocacy.

Katie Koestner

The group's founder and executive director, who organized the Sunday event and has been a longtime advocate for survivors.

The details

At Yale, about 100 students gathered outside Sterling Memorial Library holding signs reading "I Refuse to Watch My Friend Become Jane Doe" and "We Shouldn't Still Be Here." At Berkeley, about 50 people walked from Sproul Plaza to California Hall.

- Sunday, November 1, 2026: Campus Take Back the Night gatherings held nationwide.
- 1970s: Similar protests date back to this decade.
- 1999: Katie Koestner founded the Take Back the Night Foundation.

Legal Context

The gatherings continue a Take Back the Night protest tradition dating to the 1970s, now carried on by the Take Back the Night Foundation founded in 1999. Similar campus-based protests have repeatedly followed high-profile sexual assault lawsuits.

Students and campus communities may see increased attention to sexual violence reporting and support resources in the coming weeks. Those affected by campus assault can seek guidance from their college's Title IX office.

The takeaway

Campus safety advocates emphasize that reporting options and survivor support are key tools for students facing sexual violence. Students who want to get involved can reach out to campus advocacy centers.