“War Zone,” a lecture and documentary by film maker and activist Maggie Hadleigh-West, will be the keynote presentation of Take Back The Night, an annual protest against sexual assault.

Her multimedia presentation will be held tonight at 8 in the Benton Auditorium of the Scheman Building. It is free and open to the public.

Hadleigh-West was selected as the keynote speaker because her video presentation is something new and different, said Stephanie Heying, co-chairwoman of the Committee Against Violence.

“She was chosen because of the actual video. It is more interesting for everybody than just hearing about [sexual harassment],” said Heying, freshman in meteorology.

The subject matter of the presentation, lurid cat-calls that women often endure, is another reason for Hadleigh-West being chosen as a featured speaker, said Jehan Faisal, co-chairwoman of Committee Against Violence.

“It is very new; there is not much discussion about this topic,” said Faisal, senior in English.

YWCA Executive Director Judy Dolphin said Hadleigh-West provides a unique view on women’s safety.

“Maggie Hadleigh-West has done fine work, and we are thrilled she could come and share her insights,” she said.

Dolphin said “War Zone” is a powerful commentary on sexual harassment.

“[Hadleigh-West] has empowered women to confront harassers on the street in a way that is non-violent but is very confrontory,” she said.

Hadleigh-West’s presentation will tie in with Take Back The Night, which will be held on Wednesday. The rally will focus on making streets safe from rape and public harassment, Faisal said.

“It is powerful when we look at where we can actually walk and the consequences to that very simple action,” she said.

The discussion of security issues is the main reason for this annual event, Dolphin said.

“Take Back The Night is about providing a sense of safety, in particular for women,” she said. “We look at Take Back The Night as a time for us to be truly safe, safe from the violence of being attacked or spoken against.”