As the seconds dwindled down to their performance, speakers talked about the importance of community and national support for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. 

At 4:15 p.m. Thursday, President Bill Perry, Dan Nadler, the vice president for student affairs, and others watched and listened on the lawn of Old Main as various community members took part in a “flash mob,” preceded by awareness speeches. 

Perry said he was happy to witness the dance.

“It was the meaning behind the flash mob that was good,” Perry said.

The dance, which was orchestrated by the Women’s Empowerment League, Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services, and Charleston’s HOPE of East Central Illinois, had more than 30 participants and lasted for about four minutes.

Jeanne Ludlow, the coordinator of the Women’s Studies Program and the Women’s Resource Center, said the current discussions on campus and in Charleston pertaining to sexual assault and violence made this display of comradery important.

“I think that we are at a point of revolution in Charleston and at EIU, and we are going to dance,” Ludlow said.

Ludlow said the progress that has been made to combat sexual violence and increase reporting should be celebrated.

“We’ve had people listen to things and (try) to make change, and that is never to be underestimated,” Ludlow said.

Though, the current focus on the campus’ reaction to assault, Erin Walters, the executive director of SACIS, said the sexual violence happens on a much larger, underreported scale.

“Sexual violence is an epidemic across the world,” Walters said. 

 Sace Elder, a history professor, brought her young daughter to dance in support of awareness and survivors.

“You’re never too young to stand up for women’s rights,” Elder said. 

 Her daughter, Rosa Coit, danced with a group of children that moved up to the front of the mob.

Elder said events like the flash mob remind the community that sexual violence can happen to everyone anywhere.

 Althea Pendergast, the executive director of HOPE, agreed.

“(Violence) happens everywhere,” Pendergast said. “I think it’s great to see people finally willing to talk about what’s happening. It makes a difference to survivors.”

Pendergast, the executive director of HOPE, said it is important to realize that Charleston is not impervious to national and global statistics.

“Today, we rise up for the 688 victims of domestic violence who walked through HOPE’s doors last year and for each and every victim who couldn’t,” Pendergast said.

Sexual assault continues to be a difficult topic of discussion, but it is more important to be uncomfortable than to be ignorant to the facts, Walters said.

“I’ve had a number of conversations with faculty members and the administration, and I think that they are definitely listening and that they want to should their support,” Walters said.

Support for survivors will always be needed, she said.

“Sometimes (sexual assault survivors) feel alone or isolated, sometimes they feel very supported, and in this time and in this moment I think they would feel very supported,” Walters said.

HOPE of East Central Illinois is a shelter for survivors of domestic violence — women and children — that can house between 22 to 24 people at a time.

As a sexual assault survivor, student Jameka Golden said the recent campus discussions and participating in Thursday’s dance continue to make her feel a part of a supportive community.

“There are a billion women out there who experience domestic violence and sexual assault and I am a survivor, so I felt that I could come along with many survivors in a way that was positive, Golden said.

Golden, a senior family and consumer sciences major, said it is important for sexual assault survivors to seek help 

“It’s like a burden off our shoulders,” Golden said. 

The after effects of sexual assault can be overwhelming, but Golden said she continues to strive to make her reaction to the attack more important than the attack itself.

“This happened to me, but I’m not going to let it break me,” Golden said. “I am going to be more than what happened to me.”

Nike Ogunbodede can be reached at 581-2812 or ovogunbodede@eiu.edu.