"Community takes back the night from sexual assault, rape"

Some think it only affects women, but sexual assault is far from a female-only issue.

Whether they were victims dealing with the aftermath, or people who had never been affected by rape or assault, both men and women alike came together to take a stand Thursday at the annual Take Back the Night on South Campus.

Each year, Take Back the Night, which is held on several college campuses, allows the community to come together to share their stories and raise awareness about the effects of rape and sexual assault.

UB's event was held in Harriman Hall, which was packed with students, faculty and several organizations, leaving only standing room for additional onlookers.

The night's guest speaker, Linda Hill-MacDonald, head coach of the UB women's basketball team, delivered some somber statistics: every six minutes, one rape occurs in the United States and only one in ten rapes are reported.

"Rape is not the fault of the victim," said Hill-MacDonald, as several eyes in the room fell to the floor, "She does not ask, nor does she deserve to be raped."

Hill-MacDonald said that specific to the college demographic, one in five women report being raped during their college career. Of these women, most are freshmen and 25 percent blame themselves.

Hill-MacDonald also offered advice to any woman who found herself in a near-rape situation.

"Scream like hell. Fight. Fight, scream, scratch and try to get away," she said.

After the Hill-MacDonald's speech, the Royal Pitches performed, inciting applause throughout the hall, and the audience recited the Pledge Against Sexual Violence in one uniformed voice: "Tonight we pledge our support and commitment to carry the torch of freedom-the freedom to fight social and sexual inequity, pornography, racism, sexual violence and every form of oppression that plagues our society today."

Slowly, the people filed out of the room and onto the steps of Harriman Hall. Candles were lit one by one as hundreds of students, children, parents, grandparents, professors, groups, teams and Greeks joined in the march down Main Street.

"Take Back the Night raises an important issue dealing with sexual assault and rape," said Erica Mincher, a senior communication major. "You, your friends, classmates or family are potential victims, and to know how to protect yourself is the best thing you can do."

The march was led by UB's Korean Folk Art Club, and the sound of drums, gongs and cymbals was accompanied by whistles and chanting.

"We're here for peace," said Janice Panzica who was marching with her mother and her daughter, Suzanne Panzica, a senior environmental design and women's studies major.

The line marched down Main Street as horns from motorists blared and several people from the bars and windows of buildings applauded. The voices of the people resounded down the alleyways, "One, two, three, four, we won't take it anymore. Five, six, seven, eight. Stop the violence, stop the hate."

The march ended back on the steps of Harriman Hall and many gathered back inside to hear survivor stories and poetry.

"Women's rights are human rights and that's what we advocate for," said Lourdes Diaz, a senior anthropology major.

Once the crowd silenced, the speakers began making their way to the podium. Women and men told their stories and read their poems. Some cried, some paused to collect themselves. Others spoke in strong, angry voices.

After each speaker had retired from the podium, with heads held high, the remainder of the crowd filtered out to the healing fire.

Groups of people huddled together in the darkness. Noses were red from the chilly night air. Eyes were red from the outpouring of empathy. Huddled by the healing fire, not a single person was alone.

"Sexual violence does not discriminate," says Joelle Bence, a senior women's studies major. "It happens to every race, at every age, in every community. The bravery of these women telling their stories is a step for change against sexual violence."