A large congregation of people gathered outside of the Justice Center on Thursday evening to show their support for the fight against violence of all kinds. The annual event, Take Back the Night, consists of a rally, march and vigil that serves as a protest for sexual assault.

Elizabeth Madariaga, Sexual Assault Services Coordinator, who helped to plan the event said that the event is one of a series of events in the month of March, which is Sexual Assault Awareness month.

“I hope that this will increase awareness on what assault is. I hope this will help to create a change in the rape culture,” she said.

The group marched in a loop roughly equaling a mile, however the candlelight vigil was cancelled due to rain.

“I hope that victims will feel supported enough to come forward easily because they aren’t blamed and re-victimized by society,” Madariaga said.

“I hope that one day, we teach perpetrators to not offend instead of teaching victim survivors how to prevent assault.”

For more coverage pick up Tuesday’s copy of the Herald