Red and emotions ran high as victims and supporters shared their inner thoughts with about 150 students and DeKalb residents at an anti-violence rally, followed by a march around campus.

The NIU Women’s Alliance sponsored a program entitled “Take Back The Night” Wednesday night inside the Chick Evans Field House, and later marched four miles around the drizzling DeKalb campus.

Amy Magnussen, co-president of Students Organized Against Rape, opened the program with some statistics. “Rape is not just a DeKalb issue or a state issue or a nation issue. Rape is a global issue. Every 15 seconds a woman is beaten, every six minutes a woman is raped and one woman out of three is sexually assaulted by the age of 18.”

Adding to her speech, Director of Safe Passage Pam Weisman said 1993 already has proved to be a violent one.

“This is a violent year. Violence is taken for granted,” she said. “We live in the fear of it and don’t recognize it because we see it everywhere and it remains hidden.

“Consider a weapon if any. At home, do you feel like a prisoner? If you look out the window, do you feel that there is someone looking back at you that will rape or kill you? You become hyper vigilantes and fugitives being pursued.

“Today, change laws; tommorrow, change minds. Let our children grow up without fear,” she added.

Other speakers included poet Pat Smith, who said she has lived in fear since she found out that two of her daughters were molested by a trusted neighbor’s son.

She dedicated her speech to women who know the darkness of fear and healing, and to men who listen and act to support them.

Another speaker sharing with the crowd was Aubrieta Hope, who said she was molested by a satanic cult and was abused in her childhood. She called herself a survivor of the night.

“Home can be the most dangerous place of the night. I didn’t know if those footsteps would come to me or my sister’s room,” she said. “Darkness hides crime. Night stole away hope. Where other girls saw sunshine, I saw shadow.

“I urge you to take back the night for the youngest and smallest around us. Let’s take back our power,” she said.

ope urged others to come forward so that the hurt could heal.

“If you are a survivor, speak out. We have the knowledge and motivation to attack the problem,” she said. “When we help a child, we make the night safe. Make it safe to be a child.”

Lynda O’Brien, director of sexual assault and abuse services for DeKalb County’s Rape Crisis Center, said we fear the unknown. “Men are threatened too. It goes underreported but it’s a reality. Care for yourself and those around you.”

Several NIU students, male and female, came out to show their support.

Kris Baker said he decided to come to the rally because violence is a serious problem that really hits home for him. “Three of my closest friends were date-raped,” he said.

Offering another male student perspective, Jeff Martens said he was pleased with the male turnout, even though he admits he thought it was going to be a type of male-bashing.