On Sunday, students gathered to hold a candlelight vigil in honor of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

The event was planned by Theta Chi fraternity for the second year in a row. The event was started last year by Brennan Goodman, who was the vice president of health and safety at the time.

“There had been some allegations within the Greek community at the time, and our vice president of health and safety came up with the candlelight vigil idea, and we thought that it was a great opportunity for us to bring light to the issue of sexual assault,” said Zach Stuart, junior in supply chain management and president of Theta Chi.

This year the fraternity continued the event, and tried to improve upon what they had already established with last years event. They asked two different speakers to come and enlisted the help of Pi Beta Phi sorority to help promote and arrange the vigil.

Their hope is to create an event that brings together students, faculty and members of the community to support and remember the victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, while educating the community as well.

“It’s not just a Theta Chi or Pi Beta Phi event, it’s a Greek community, Iowa State community, and Ames community event,” Stuart said.

The event took place in front of Sloss House on central campus. It opened with two speakers who helped to educate their audience on the issues of sexual assault and domestic violence. The group huddled together holding candles, and then signed a banner in honor of the victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

“The event had a really good turnout this year,” said Kara Rex, sophomore in agriculture and society, political science, and president of Pi Beta Phi. “I’m very pleased to see so many of our members excited to actively participate in this event. To see how passionate Theta Chi is about this event helps to spread to our members as well.”

Theta Chi plans on continuing this event annually, and hopes that Pi Beta Phi will continue their involvement as well. They hope that their efforts can bring attention to an issue that is so easily overlooked.

Joe Jerger, sophomore in industrial engineering and the vice president of health and safety for Theta Chi, was in charge of planning the event. He described the event as, “a step in the right direction.”