For over a decade, E'Rly Anderson kept quiet because she thought she had no choice. That, and the choice was too terrible to face. Pawned to drug dealers for sex by her babysitter, raped by her father, two other men and impregnated all by the age of 13, Anderson found herself introverted, self-destructive, and alone growing up in the Dominican Republic.
Thursday night at UB, Anderson found herself far from alone, surrounded by over 300 friends and supporters packed into Harriman Hall as she finally spoke out at UB's 28th annual Take Back the Night to raise sexual violence awareness.
"My story and stories like mine will continue if we don't speak up," an emotional Anderson told the crowd.
Organized by the Anti-Rape Task Force, the event also featured poetry written by students, a candlelight vigil, and a boisterous march down Main Street that tied up traffic and had community members peering out of store windows.
"We're here to shine a light on injustice and inequality," said Dennis Black, vice president of Student Affairs.
Like all of the speakers, Black urged students to pull together to "promote an active response, to make a difference."
Ellen Christensen, director of Health and Human Services, said Take Back the Night is a way to put a face on the issues of rape and sexual assault, and raise awareness to combat them.
"Take Back the Night is probably the one single thing that reduces rape and sexual assault to a greater extent than anything else because of the impact it has on people," Christensen said. "It becomes real for them."
Many students said listening to Anderson did exactly that - it made the issue real.
"Wow. It was touching, truly touching," said Neasha Duncan, a senior. "It just makes me realize that you take so much for granted."
"It made me feel very angry and sad, and it was very impressive that she could go up there and tell her story," said Melissa Brandys, a junior.
Gary Gonzalez, a junior volunteer with Health and Human Services, said listening to Anderson and participating in the event gave him a sense of hope and strength.
"It makes me feel like I'm part of something really strong and special, that I'm part of a really good cause," Gonzalez said.
Elise Conway, a junior, said she hopes the event lets people know that they are not alone and added she thought Anderson was one of the strongest women she's ever met.
Anderson said the hardest part about speaking out was worrying no one would believe her.
"I believe you. We believe you," she said. "Remember that you are not alone."
Following Anderson's gripping speech, people hugged and cried together in the crowd, holding hands and reassuringly patting each other on the back as they headed out to Main Street, a long winding ribbon of light from their candles moving into the crisp, drizzly night.
Christensen stressed the event was not just geared towards women.
"Tonight is not just about women," she said. "It's about men and women, and it's about us standing up and saying we won't tolerate sexual violence any longer."
With the event on-campus for the first time in four years, Christensen said she was thrilled with the turnout.
"I think students that attend Take Back the Night never forget it, so it affects them not just now, but for the rest of their lives," she said.
As they descended down Main Street, marching as far as The Steer with signs, banners, drums, and chanting at the top of their lungs, students said they were proud and inspired to be part of Take Back the Night, which has been a national event since 1978.
"I think it's awesome. This is a great turnout," Brandys said.
Brandys added the world could use events like Take Back the Night because awareness and prevention still aren't at the level they should be.
"I find it to be very inspiring, and it makes me want to contribute more," she said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
