Victims of sexual assault and violence have the chance to find comfort and support during the Take Back the Night vigil and march at 6:30 tonight at the Campus Pond Pavilion. Take Back the Night is a community-wide protest against sexual assault and violence held to inspire and help those who have been victims of sexual assault by, and give them a chance to heal.

Amanda Wildenberg, an Eastern student, singles out the importance of this event. Rooting back to marches against sexual violence in the 1970s, TBTN has inspired women and men alike to confront a multitude of social ills, including rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, violence against children, and homophobia, Wildenberg said.

The unifying theme throughout these diverse topics is the assertion that all human beings have the right to be free from violence, the right to be heard, and the right to reclaim those rights if they are violated, Wildenberg said. Take Back the Night is about how all people, regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, etc., should feel comfortable in a community at all times, even in the night.

Women’s Studies coordinator Jeannie Ludlow said the event is held to help people feel empowered in the night and to show respect for and solidarity with people who have been victimized by violence.

“People need to be more aware of how violence affects the people in our community and how important (it is) as a community to work against it,” Ludlow said.

Ludlow, although a first time participant of TBTH at Eastern, has been an active participant in the march for about 25 years and feels strongly about its affects.

“I hope participants get the feeling of being empowered, it feels amazing,” Ludlow said.

There will be live music by Jon and AJ Schubert and food for all. The Take Back the Night event is also a fundraiser and all the proceeds will go to the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Service, SACIS.

Last year, Eastern gave about $1,000 to SACIS, according to Carrie New, Women’s Resource Center staff member. SACIS is an organization that educates people in at Eastern and several counties about sexual assault and provides direct services to survivors, and secondary survivors of sexual assault.

Crystal Alston can be reached at 581-7942 or at cralston@eiu.edu.