Despite cold, wet weather, about 50 people braved the chilly wind and rain Thursday night to participate in the 14th Annual Georgia Southern University Take Back the Night march and rally, held outside near the Russell Union Rotunda.

Sponsored by several groups, including the GSU Sexual Assault Response Team, Sexual Assault Student Educators and Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center, the event was geared toward raising awareness and in support of sexual assault prevention, said Debbie Perez-Lopez of the GSU Sexual Assault Response Team, who co-chaired the rally along with Dr. Jodi Caldwell.

Georgia Southern University Police Department statistics illustrate the need for sexual assault awareness events such as this one. In 2013, university police responded to seven reports of rape, GSU Police Chief Mike Russell said.

That is a sharp increase from previous years. In 2009, there was one rape incident, none reported in 2010, three in 2011 and two in 2012, the statistics show.

Perez-Lopez said the crowd, while smaller than normal — likely because of the chilly, wind-driven drizzle Thursday night — was enthusiastic.

“We had a megaphone, were doing chants — we like to have a lot of energy at these rallies,” she said.

After the initial rally, marchers walked through campus in an effort to reach others.

“This allows victims to become empowered,” Perez-Lopez said. “It honors survivors as well as those who did not survive sexual assault.”

Christie Perry, the executive director of the Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center, was impressed by the turnout in spite of the inclement weather.

“I was amazed,” she said. “This is an awareness event bringing light to this issue.”

Shanna Felix, the president of the Sexual Assault Student Educators, said past events have drawn larger crowds, but the fact that around 50 showed up in spite of weather issues shows how strongly some feel about sexual assault.

“All things considered, it went amazingly,” she said.

Victims and others were allowed to speak and share thoughts and experiences as well.

 

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.