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News

Marchers to reclaim night

Wednesday's demonstration against sexual assault will feature speakers, open mic, vocal performance

by CATALINA OTALORA
The Daily Cougar

An estimated 50 to 100 people will march against sexual assault Wednesday at the Take Back the Night March.

The event is sponsored by the Women's Resource Center in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services, the Wellness Center, the UH Police Department and the Health Center.

Marchers will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Quadrangle, walk to Moody Towers and finish at the University Center Arbor, where there will be testimonials from sexual assault survivors, an open microphone for attendees to share their experiences with sexual assault and a vocal performance by Katherine Young, a mezzo-soprano at the Moores School of Music.

"Some women are afraid to go out at night due to fears of sexual assault," WRC Director Beverly McPhail said. "So this march is a statement that the night belongs to women. We take back the night while marching in safety in numbers. We also invite men as our allies to join us."

April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness month and Take Back the Night marches will take place across the country, McPhail said. 

"A study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work found that one in five adult women in Texas have been sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, and one in 20 men," McPhail said. "Some young men are reluctant to come forward and report their rape because they have been taught that men are tough and invulnerable, but rape happens to men, too."

Sexual assault advocates from the Houston Area Women's Center and Katy Christian Ministries will also be present.

The program will close with a candlelight vigil honoring sexual assault victims. 

"The desired outcome (of the march) is to raise awareness of sexual assault and sexual assault resources available both on campus and off," McPhail said. "We hope to build a community on campus where women feel safe and supported. Women should be able to move freely about this campus and other places at night."

For more information visit www.uh.edu/wrc.

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