Yesterday evening, a chorus of nearly a hundred voices on College Green demonstrated a new way to say "no" -- loudly, standing tall and delivering a powerful punch.
The annual Take Back the Night Rally was held last night to draw attention and awareness to sexual violence against women.
More than 20 student groups contributed to the annual three-day chain of events, which is overseen by the Penn Women's Center.
"Rape is still happening, women are still being hurt," Women's Center Associate Director Gloria Gay said. "And it's important to stress the healing process and to show that women can be survivors."
Christian Association Executive Director Beverly Dale kicked off the rally by belting out the lyrics to "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy -- "I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim's song." Her voice echoed over the Green and lured Locust Walk passers-by to sit down and listen.
"It's time to take back the night, the day, this campus, this world," Women's Center Director Elena DiLapi said.
And putting this fighting spirit into action, two representatives from Women's Anti-Violence Education taught the crowd verbal and physical techniques to avoid, fight off and survive an assault.
"There are myths out there about self defense... that fighting back will make it worse, make the attacker angrier," said WAVE member Carrie Bader, a College of General Studies student. "But studies have shown that any sort of fighting back will reduce your chance of getting assaulted."
The rally centered around a speak-out, which, following performance by the a cappella group Quaker Girls, gave both female and male attendees the opportunity to tell their own personal stories or those of loved ones who have been victims of sexual assault and other forms of violence.
Speakers ranged from a woman who had been raped three times to another who overcame her fear of walking down the street to a man who happened to walk by the rally and felt moved to express his support.
Between each speech was a long pause, which gave organizers the chance to pass out candles and volunteers the time to muster courage to share.
One student came to terms at the podium with her own experience of sexual assault.
"I've told myself things, like that he had sex with me and I didn't want to, or that I said no," College senior Jessica Frounfelker said. "But for the first time, in front of all you people -- this is really hard -- I'm saying that I was raped."
More than a dozen attendees spoke, urging victims not to remain silent, explaining the value of listening and teaching, reminding others that assault can take many forms and thanking their supporters.
And following the speak-out, female ralliers marched around campus, holding their lit candles and chanting, "Women unite, take back the night."
But because organizers only allowed women to participate in the march, some students said they were disappointed.
"I was upset men weren't able to participate in the march," College sophomore Eian More said. "I think it's gender-biased."
"But I enjoyed the rally," he added. "I really admired the girls who were able to speak publicly about such private issues."
Most students agreed that the rally was a positive and touching experience.
"It means a lot to me to see people congregating and talking about [sexual violence]," said 2001 College graduate Sara Mostafa, a former Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape member. "It's so common, but it's not in the news very often and people can forget that it happens."
