The University of Alabama Women’s Resource Center will host “Take Back the Night,” an international rally aimed to support the end of violence against women, tonight at 6 p.m. on the Ferguson Plaza.

The month of April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month and UA’s Women’s Resource Center has been hosting events throughout the month to raise awareness across campus. Students and volunteers at the WRC have also sported teal-colored ribbons to show their support. “Take Back the Night” is the culmination of these events as an international rally aimed at unifying the UA community to stop violence against women.

“Take Back the Night” began in Europe in 1976 with women who attended the Tribuna on Crimes Against Women. The rally has travelled across the globe, coming to the U.S. in 1978 and then to UA in 1986.

The event is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Pepsi, Alabama Panhellenic Association, Alpha Chi Omega, Judicial Affairs and the department of race and gender studies.

“We are proud to work with the Women’s Resource Center to bring about awareness of abuse on campus throughout Alabama,” said Caran Smith, Verizon Wireless public relations manager for the Alabama/Georgia Region.

Wendy Murphy, nationally recognized keynote speaker from Boston Law School, will address the crowd as a personal survivor of sexual assault. A survivor from Shelton State community college will give a vocal performance as well.

“Survivors will share their stories and talk about how they personally dealt with sexual abuse,” said Barb Rau, intern at the Women’s Resource Center from VWA Livingston.

There will be a rally walk around the Quad at 6 p.m. and then a candlelight vigil at the end.

“We are hoping that people will have a better understanding of sexual abuse, and they will be able to help someone if they know someone in an abusive situation,” said Chatiara Salandy, member of the leadership council at the WRC.

Rau said she invites members of the community to come out and feel empowered. She said she knows it is a big healing process, but she wants them to know they are not alone in this fight against sexual violence.

For more information about sexual assault and violence, contact the University of Alabama Women’s Resource Center at 205-348-5040 or visit their website, http://wrc.ua.edu.

[IF YOU GO]

WHAT: Take Back the Night

WHEN: Tonight at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Ferguson Plaza