Less than perfect weather conditions did not prevent a crowd of about 200 from attending the “Take Back the Night Rally and March” held Wednesday night in front of Curtiss Hall.

This year, the theme of Iowa State’s Take Back the Night Rally and Mach was “Find Your Voice, Break the Silence.”

“I was impressed to see the number of people who showed up, especially the men,” said Alissa Stoehr, senior in women studies.

Several speakers for the night shared emotional personal experiences, facts and poems on the front steps of Curtiss Hall. The crowd then dispersed carrying lit candles and chanting phrases such as “No more rape, no more violence, no more victims, no more silence,” while marching around Knapp Street and Ash and Welch Avenues

As the new director of the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center, Pam Thomas shared her personal testimony of abuse that silenced the spectators. “I am not here for the center’s direction, I am speaking in place of a survivor,” she said.

She told ralliers how the abusive relationship still affects her 17 years later.

Just recently, she said she was driving down the road and noticed a man abusing his wife in the car in front of her. Thomas said she sped up and gave the man an acknowledgeable look and took down his driver’s license as he drove away.

With the information, she said she called several officials but received no help. When she got off the phone, Thomas said she cried.

“I am putting the emphasis in a new direction, toward making women safe,” Thomas said. “Focusing the energy toward empowering men to be more accountable.”

She said she was pleased to see all the men who showed up for the rally and march. “There is hope with the younger generation of men, but we still have a long way to go,” Thomas said.

Lt. Isra Harahap of ISU’s Department of Public Safety informed the crowd of its Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), which provides a 24-hour response to sexual assault victims and survivors. It stresses that people need to reach out to those abused.

“The best way to solve the problems are through education and by putting the perpetrators in jail,” Harahap said.

Jackie Litt, professor in sociology and women’s studies, spoke about a book titled “Fraternity Gang Rape,” that was based on an abuse incident at the University of Pennsylvania. Litt said victims should not blame themselves, and she urged the university to take action toward preventing rape.

Autumn Wagner, junior in sociology, shared a poem that took her 30 years to write, and Alissa Stoehr also shared a poem titled “No Immediate Cause.”

“I thought it was surprising that after it took her so many years to write it, Wagner was about to talk openly about it,” said Gina Buse, sophomore in psychology.

Liz Fitzgerald of ACCESS – Assault Care Center in Ames, informed those at the rally about some of the situations employees at the center encounter.

“We have about 200 calls from women and place 300 children a year. Nearly 1,200 women and children sought services in the past year,” Fitzgerald said.

The ACCESS – Assault Care Center is available for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and rape seeking assistance or information, Fitzgerald said.