It only seems right that Sexual Assault Awareness Month at the University of Iowa should end with the voices of survivors of sex-related crimes.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, survivors and theirs supporters will gather on the UI Pentacrest for the annual “Take Back the Night” rally and march which culminates with an opportunity to share stories.

The event draws to a close a month of activities designed to raise public awareness and educate the community on preventing sexual violence.

“'Take Back The Night' is a metaphor for taking back the fear,” says Sophia Schilling, a UI junior communications major from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and member of the Women’s Resource and Action Center. The center  helped organize the event along with the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) and the UI Students for Human Rights (UISHR).

“I personally know women who have been affected, and I hope this will show how it affects people of all gender identities, ages, and economic backgrounds,” she adds.

Once gathered, the crowd will proceed to march through downtown Iowa City eventually returning to the Pentacrest where survivors can share their experiences and help put a face on sexual assault.

“It’s a safe space where survivors can tell their stories,” Schilling says.

Organizers will also be on hand to help attendees whose own experiences might be triggered by the stories of others. Trained professionals wearing t-shirts that read “This is what an advocate looks like” will be on hand to comfort anyone who is struggling. Therapy dogs will also be there to offer a calming presence. 

“If you’re feeling uncomfortable or triggered, no one will think it’s disrespectful if you need to leave,” Schilling says.  

Earlier this week, The Clothesline Project took center stage on the front lawn of the Old Capitol Building on the UI campus. Dozens of shirts created by survivors of sexual violence and their family members were pinned to more than 150 feet of clothesline. Some of the shirts featured intricate drawings or detailed accounts of sexual violence. Others included messages such as “Survivor” and “No Means No, Always”. 

For Kenya Lewis, a junior at the UI and RVAP volunteer, seeing the t-shirt display was a “powerful and eye- opening experience.”

Susan Junis, RVAP’s university prevention education coordinator, says the shirts are another platform for survivors to tell their stories. The event has been around since 1995 and some of the original shirts are still included in the display.  

With Sexual Assault Awareness Month drawing to a close, Schilling says she is pleased the university has toughened its policies on sexual assault offenders.

“It’s a good start,” she says.