< Back | Home

Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance members Liz Delf, a senior in English, and Samantha Pride, senior in sociology and international studies, sport a peace sign while Jessica George, a senior in interior design, marches next to them at the Take Back The Night march against sexual assault. OSU students and community members marched through the streets of Corvallis Wednesday evening, chanting for peace, women's rights and gay rights.

No more talking about taking back the night

Men, women join forces to march across campus in protest of sexual violence taking place on college campuses

By: Kate Welter

Posted: 4/16/09

One out of every four women and one out of every 13 men will be assaulted throughout their lifetime, according to speakers at the Take Back the Night rally last night.

Two-thirds of all rapes and 90 percent of rapes on college campuses are committed by people who are at least acquainted with their victims.

Students gathered in the MU Quad Wednesday night for Take Back the Night, an event that is a part of OSU's Sexual Assault Awareness Week.

This is an annual event that continues to take place in order to raise awareness of how prevalent sexual assault is on college campuses.

Alisha DeVogele, ASOSU's women's taskforce director, was one of several primary coordinators for Take Back the Night.

"The event is one that is meant to empower women, survivors of sexual assault and other community members. It is a positive event, intended to not only bring awareness as to what's going on at college campuses, but also to let people know that sexual assault is not okay. Safety is a right, not a privilege."

The evening began with a speech by guest speaker and author, Lori Robinson, who hails from Detroit. Robinson is the author of "I Will Survive," which speaks of her own experience as a sexual assault survivor and how she and all survivors have the ability to transcend and heal.

"All the shame and all the blame belongs to the perpetrator. Survivors are never to blame," Robinson said during her speech. "Take Back the Night gives survivors a voice."

Additionally, Robinson wanted to stress how rape does not solely affect women. Men need to join in and pro-actively be part of the solution.

"Men can be raped, too. They have relationships with women; they have mothers, daughters and sisters. This is not just a woman's problem. All of us need to step up if we want to see a change."

Following the speech, posters and lit candles were passed out to all members of the crowd that had gathered in front of the MU steps. With a megaphone in hand, Alisha DeVogele led the group in chants as they marched through the streets of Corvallis. The route included Greek Row and Monroe Street, where many poked their heads out to watch and support those already walking.

Last night's event was organized by Katie Stebbins, the director of health and wellness at OSU, as well as ASOSU's women's director of affairs, the Women's Center and EVERY1.

"I was looking forward to getting involved and wanted to support the movement," said Mike Turner, a junior in political science at OSU. "It was awesome to see the support by those we passed by on the street."

While the event may have seemed like one that was catered toward women, men also made an impact on the size of the crowd.

Men and women flocked from businesses and cultural centers to join the march down Monroe Street as sororities and fraternities showed their support by watching and cheering on the effort to take back the night.

Kate Welter, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231