UM-Flint Students Rally Against Sexual Assault

Annual Take Back the Night event focuses on evolving risks of online dating and consent in the digital age.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:33am

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting a group of college students walking together at night, their faces and forms blurred into soft pools of warm color and light, conveying a sense of community and determination to address the issue of sexual assault on campus.Students at the University of Michigan-Flint march together in solidarity, their faces obscured by soft, warm light, as they work to raise awareness and end the culture of silence surrounding sexual assault.Flint Today

Students at the University of Michigan-Flint held their annual Take Back the Night rally and march on April 9, 2026, with a sharper focus this year on the evolving risks of sexual assault in the digital age. Experts say that the increasing reliance on technology like AI chatbots and image generators in dating and relationships is blurring the lines around consent, and students are working to raise awareness and take action to end the culture of silence surrounding sexual violence.

Why it matters

The shift towards more online and technology-mediated dating and relationships among college students raises new concerns about consent, trust, and personal safety. As students increasingly turn to digital tools to connect, there are growing risks around the misuse of these technologies and the potential for sexual assault. The Take Back the Night rally aims to empower students to speak out, support one another, and work towards solutions.

The details

The annual Take Back the Night event at the University of Michigan-Flint brought together students to march, listen, and learn about the evolving dangers of sexual assault in the digital age. Experts say that the rise of AI chatbots, image generators, and other technology used in dating and relationships is blurring the lines around consent, as students may be interacting with non-human entities that simply agree with them rather than providing meaningful guidance. Students expressed concerns that the focus on online spaces and technology is causing them to be less attentive to the people around them and the potential risks in their immediate environment.

  • The annual Take Back the Night rally and march took place on April 9, 2026.

The players

Hailey Owens

A student at the University of Michigan-Flint who spoke about the shift towards more technology-based dating and the risks it poses.

Samara Hough

The director of the Center for Gender & Sexuality at the University of Michigan-Flint, who discussed the dangers of students interacting with AI chatbots and image generators instead of real people.

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What they’re saying

“Connection is in general shifting to be more based online with technology than in person. And I do think that that is concerning.”

— Hailey Owens, University of Michigan-Flint student

“There's some dangers and risks around that, because you're not talking to a human. You're talking to AI. And so, which will often just agree with you versus really giving you tangible, good resources.”

— Samara Hough, Center for Gender & Sexuality director at University of Michigan-Flint

What’s next

The university plans to continue hosting the annual Take Back the Night rally and march, as well as provide additional resources and education for students on the evolving risks of sexual assault in the digital age.

The takeaway

As college students increasingly turn to technology to connect and date, there are growing concerns about the impact on consent, trust, and personal safety. The Take Back the Night event at the University of Michigan-Flint aims to raise awareness, empower students to speak out, and work towards solutions to address the culture of silence surrounding sexual violence.