Hundreds of students and faculty from the University of Oregon gathered in the EMU Amphitheater with colorful signs and small blue ribbons pinned to their shirts to celebrate the 34th annual Take Back the Night.

With a common goal to change the atmosphere around us and promote sexual violence prevention, guest speakers, ASUO Women’s Center representatives, the Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team and UO club Juventud Faceta facilitated a rally and led a march to downtown Eugene.

“It has been five or six months planning, so it’s really nice to see so many people come out and care about the cause.” said Raquel Aufderheide co-coordinator for Take Back the Night as well as sexual support services volunteer.  “It’s just really empowering in general to be an ally and to be able to empower other people to take back their rightful places”

During the rally, the Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team performed a presentation on their interpretation of an individual struggling to deal with sexual abuse and promoting the idea that all victims have a safe place.

“(It) is not up to anyone to determine what you are going through except for you” the SWAT team said.

“Men have to stop committing violence,” said Michael Griffel, director of UO housing. “In college, I was in a group for men against rape culture in 1985. I went to Take Back the Night when I was in college, and actually, women were only aloud to march while men stood and watched for support. I think that it is very important that we become a role model because everyone should support the cause.”

The main goal of this event is to give the community a chance to understand that sexual assault does happen, and everyone should come together to support those who have been affected.

“I think it’s a safe space for people to feel connected and get support; we need it more than anything else.” said Mackenzie Mansfield, a UO undergraduate and resident assistant. “Even if you’re not a survivor, I think it’s important that people show their alliance against the issue.”