Take back the Night: Monument Quilt displayed at Fort Meade’s National Night Out

Photo By Master Sgt. Alexandre Montes | An umbrella station held speakers that let visitors listen to stories from survivors throughout the night as they sit in the middle of Monument Quilt squares during National Night Out August 2, 2016 at Fort George G. Meade, Md. The Monument Quilt is an ongoing collection of stories and message from survivors of sexual and domestic violence, the stories are written then stitched onto red quilt squares which will have 6,000 quilts displayed at the National Mall in 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)  

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

08.02.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes 

70th ISR Wing

Communities around the country have recently been in turmoil with local authorities and have been torn apart because of this. The same can happen to families dealing with sexual assault and abuse. By combining these two events, it opens a door for patrons to join a healing space.

“Bringing in the National Monument Quilt at Fort Meade's National Night Out, we are making a public healing space by and for survivors of sexual violence,” said Meghan Root, 70th ISRW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator “We are creating a space where people can make a quilt square sharing the story of how sexual violence has impacted their life.”

Root also mentioned that the quilts made at NNO will be added to the 1,000 other squares that have already been collected. Each square gives rape and abuse survivors a chance to express their stories on red fabric, showing public support for others.

“The Monument Quilt is an ongoing collection of stories and message from survivors of sexual and domestic violence, the stories are written then stitched onto red quilt squares and we blanket public spaces,“ Hannah Brancato, co-founder of FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture, the group behind The Monument Quilt said. ”The idea behind the Monument Quilt is that we have to have public spaces where communities can galvanize around survivors. It’s not just the survivor’s problem or the perpetrators, it’s the communities as well. When survivors have the best access to healing they can actually re-connect with community and know they are supported."

Brancato also mentioned that the Monument Quilt is displayed and travels across the country on Native American reservations, National coalitions, and college campuses. Very rarely does the quilt make it on to a military installation.

“We are hoping this can be the beginning of more partnerships like the ones we’ve formed with SAPR,” Brancato said. “Also, we are looking for more outreach for the Monument Quilt with another campaign coming out called hike for healing, where volunteers can form teams and create walks around the area in October.”

Pieces that were created will be added to the collection to travel to other locations over the next few years. Between spring of 2018 and 2019, a final tour will end in Washington D.C – placing a goal of 6,000 collected quilts at the National Mall spelling “Not Alone.”

Root added that the Air Force SAPR office worked with the Army SHARP offices from across base to make this event a success.

If you would like to make a square for the Quilt, you can contact the 70th ISRW SAPR office at [e-mail] or for more information go to https://themonumentquilt.org and http://crowdrise.com/hikeforhealing

• Date Taken: 08.02.2016
• Date Posted: 08.09.2016 10:47
• Story ID: 206433
• Location: FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND, US