A high-pitched bell rang once a minute throughout last Thursday's Take Back the Night rally, symbolizing the statistic that a rape occurs about once every minute in the U.S.
The cold rain that fell did not extinguish the enthusiasm of UB students and local community members, who joined together at Harriman Hall to share stories and raise awareness about sexual assault and violence.
"Sexual violence affects all ages, all races, men and women," said guest speaker Melissa Fincher-Mergi.
Fincher-Mergi is a family nurse practitioner that specializes in treatment involving the use of a "rape kit," or medical tools used to collect forensic evidence from rape victims.
"Support programs such as Take Back the Night are imperative to bring about the end of sexual and physical violence in our society," she said.
Fincher-Mergi said that rape was a universal issue affecting both sexes, with one out of every 12 assault victims being male. She also said that one out of every four women will be assaulted during their lifetime.
Despite the issue's prevalence in society, Fincher-Mergi said only 25 percent of assaulted women and less than one percent of assaulted men will actually report their victimization.
"Too many people are afraid," she said.
Robyn Wiktorski-Reynolds, Health Education and Human Services Director, felt that the rally was particularly relevant to UB students.
"College-age women and men are very vulnerable to rape - especially acquaintance rape," Wiktorski-Reynolds said. "And when alcohol is involved, especially at parties, it brings one's vulnerabilities down, so this should be an important wake-up call to people."
Fincher-Mergi discussed the impact rape has on society and college-aged women in particular.
"Adolescent females aged 16 to 19 years, and young adult women aged 20 to 24, are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in all other age groups," she said. "Most frequently the perpetrator is an acquaintance or a date."
Fincher-Mergi pointed out that rapes frequently stem from settings where alcohol is readily available.
"It is estimated that approximately one-half of assault cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim or both," she said.
If raped, said Fincher-Mergi, victims should go to an emergency room as soon as possible.
"Decision to press charges can be delayed, but evidence begins to fade as soon as the act is completed," she said.
Fincher-Mergi also urged rape victims to make use of the several recovery and support programs available.
"No one needs to fear that they're alone," she said.
Candles and plastic megaphones were passed out to participants gathering outside for the March Against Sexual Assault. Accompanied by the drums of the Korean Folk Art Club, participants marched down Main Street with candles and signs, chanting anti-rape and anti-violence slogans.
A Survivor's Bill of Rights was read aloud, reaffirming victims that they had rights, including the right to be heard, the right to be believed and the right to not be judged. This was followed by an open-mic event for people to share personal thoughts and experiences involving rape and violence.
Known as the Survivor Speak-Out, victims as well as affected family and friends shared their personal experiences.
"Sexual violence affects everyone," said Sasha McGarvey, Assistant Director of HEHS and event organizer. "If you yourself haven't been violated, someone you know or love probably has. By being in a room where you can hear people's stories, it may be the first time that it hits home, how widespread and tragic (rape) is."
According to Debansu Ghosh, a senior business administration major, the experiences shared were important in that they made people aware of the widespread issue.
"Rape is a very disrespectful and terrible crime, and in an ideal world, it should be eradicated completely," he said.
Sophomore business-administration major Sean Kammerer said that listening to victims' experiences was an eye-opening experience.
"I was listening to all the stories, and it was very moving and emotional," Kemmerer said.
Junior nursing major Sigrid Chapman was often afraid to walk outside at night, but said that the rally lifted her spirits.
"It's encouraging for me to see that there's something being done to prevent future instances, especially in the University Heights area," she said. "I've never been a victim of sexual assault, but it's important that everyone come together to support women who can't speak for themselves."
Wiktorski-Reynolds appreciated the support by male a cappella group The Buffalo Chips during the event, both for their musical performance as well as a reading of the Men's Pledge against rape and violence, a first for UB's Take Back the Night.
"It's nice to have more men be here and be supportive of us," she said. "Not necessarily just in the crowd, but as people participating in the event itself."
The finale was the Healing Fire held outside of Harriman Hall, where students wrote fears regarding rape and violence on slips of paper, and then tossed them into a bonfire.
Amanda Hibbard, a freshman biomedical sciences major, thought that the Healing Fire was a poignant metaphor for the occasion.
"Fire brings light to dark places, and when you're a victim of assault, you feel alone - in the dark," she said. "So when you light a fire, it brings light into your loneliness."
Fincher-Mergi said that she was impressed by the event's turnout in light of the recent area disaster.
"Things like this are awesome to see," she said. "The huge population of students that are here tonight, despite the weather, and despite everything that Buffalo's been going through, is just a perfect example of the support that's available."
