Take Back the Night was embraced by many on Wednesday night in the Free Speech Area in its message to stop violence against women.

The event, in its 33rd year at Fresno State, was co-sponsored by Fresno State’s Women’s Resource Center and the Women’s Alliance student club.

Take Back the Night is an international event that speaks out mainly against sexual violence in all forms committed against women. According to takebackthenight.org, the first documented event in the United States was in 1975 in Philadelphia after a young microbiologist was stabbed to death near her home while out walking.

“It’s kind of like hope to me,” said Marie Lerma, vice president of Women’s Alliance. “It’s just so inspiring to see all these people out here united under just this one thing.”

This year’s theme was “Destroying the Myths,” which fought back against the idea that women brought rape upon themselves by the way they talked, dressed or carried themselves. The theme also addressed the more current remarks made by Missouri Rep. Todd Akin.

Akin, in an interview on Aug. 19, said, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down.”

“I care, and I think we should all care, more about how Akin’s comments hurt women,” said Kathryn Forbes, Fresno State associate professor in the Women’s Studies Department.

Forbes, the keynote speaker for the event, described the night of her first kiss when she was age 16. She explained how that night was also the night her best friend was raped and almost killed.

Forbes spoke about the power of women and the strength women have in standing up for one another. The example she gave was a story about her daughter standing up for her friend on the playground after a boy head-butted her.

Forbes said her daughter did not want to see her friend hurt.

“When I asked her what motivated her to confront the boys, she said, ‘They hurt my friend. It hurt me to see my friend crying,’” Forbes said.

Besides speeches, the night had poetry, testimonials and a performance from the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom’s Raging Grannies, which included songs about voting and vaginas.

The first portion came to a close with a moment of silence, lit only by candlelight, and a march. The group held candles, signs and chanted, “No more violence!” as they walked.

The event highlighted issues where people can get involved.

“I found myself getting emotional at times, and even though I haven’t been a victim of domestic violence, I know that there are a ton of people that have been abused, especially women,” said Amy Sepulveda, a freshman history major.­ “I’m very excited and I’m overwhelmed”” but in a good way”” to be a part of this and really take a stand against domestic violence.”

Samuel Martinez, a public health administration major, has visited the event before and still finds it to be just as emotionally moving.

“This is my second time coming out here and every year”” beautiful. It was good,” Martinez said.

The march ended at The Pit where an open mic was made available for anyone who wanted to share stories and experiences.

Some of the speakers broke into tears as they recounted terrible moments in their lives”” moments from rape to watching other women be abused and not speaking up.

At the end of the night, medals were given to those who survived their ordeals and broke their silence.

For more information about Take Back the Night, visit takebackthenight.org. Students interested in learning more about next year’s event or the topic in general can visit the Women’s Resource Center located in Thomas 110 or join Women’s Alliance.