“Stop rape.”
“Hey. Hey. Ho. Ho. Sexual assault has to go.”
Passionate voices chanted powerful words in the annual Take Back the Night march Thursday. More than 200 women, men and transgenders weaved through the streets of Eugene to protest violence against women and honor survivors of violence and sexual assault.
The march, which was sponsored by the ASUO Women’s Center and Sexual Assault Support Services, started at the EMU Amphitheater and ended at the corner of East Eighth Avenue and Oak Street. Before the march, participants gathered for a rally at the amphitheater.
While the mood seemed festive — with people talking, laughing and checking out brochures at informational tables — the rally’s message was serious: Violence against women needs to stop.
“We need to get the word out to assure people that violence is not appropriate,” Womenspace volunteer Ann-Marie Askew said. Askew, who volunteers for the organization’s crisis line, said domestic violence is a huge issue and women need access to help. She added that it’s important for women in abusive relationships to know they have choices.
ASUO Women’s Center spokeswoman Sarah Wells agreed.
“Violence against women exists, and there are survivors who need to feel that they have a space where they can be safe,” she said.
In the United States, a woman is sexually assaulted every two minutes, and one in four women is a survivor of rape or attempted rape, according to Sexual Assault Support Services.
At the rally, speakers addressed various aspects of sexual assault that ranged from child abuse and assault against women with disabilities, to violence against transgender people.
University student Austin Shaw-Phillips said transgenders are often targeted because of their status.
“Sexual assault is one of the ways people enforce gender conformity,” Shaw-Phillips said, adding that people may not seek help because they don’t have access to services, and the process of getting help may be retraumatizing.
After the rally, marchers set out along East 11th Avenue with participants divided into three sections: women only, gender-queer consisting of transgenders and those who identified themselves neither as men nor women, and a gender-neutral section.
Some people shouted with fists raised and feet stomping, while others walked in reverent silence. Colorful signs bobbed above their heads. “No more violence,” “No Excuse for Abuse,” “No More Silence” and “Love is Strong” were a few messages.
Although it was still light out, a few people lit candles which flickered in the warm dusk air. The Eugene Police Department helped control traffic as cars crawled respectfully behind the marchers.
While they were united in their purpose, people identified different reasons for marching.
“I was sexually assaulted at some point in my life,” University graduate Kayla Emmons said. “I found (the march) empowering.”
Emmons said events like Take Back the Night help to raise awareness and give people the freedom to speak out.
Event Coordinator Erin Dury said she was happy with the turnout and hoped it helped to get the message out.
“It shows survivor support,” she said. “It shows that we’re not going to stand for (sexual assault).”