The month of April is dedicated to creating awareness of sexual assault.
In honor of that, several events focusing on the problem have been taking place around Tucson, including a panel on masculinity's role in gender-based violence that took place at The Loft Cinema earlier this month.
The biggest one is Take Back the Night, an annual event celebrated worldwide to speak out against sexual violence, raise awareness and support survivors of assault.
The event is not just for women.
"Sexual violence affects everyone," said Monsterrat Caballero, Take Back the Night planning committee member. "There are no boundaries and sexual violence happens in all cultural groups, all socioeconomic and educational levels, all races and ethnic groups, and it happens to girls and boys, women and men."
Though the vast majority of victims are women and girls and the majority of perpetrators are men, not all men rape, Caballero said. And, she says they need to take action, alongside women.
"Men need to join the women leaders of this movement and speak up and get involved to create a culture of consent based on mutual respect, boundaries, and trust," Caballero said. "We are all responsible for engaging in healthy relationships."
Some history
The first U.S. event was held in San Francisco in 1973 to speak out against pornography. The first public march was held in Philadelphia in October 1975 after the murder of microbiologist, Susan Alexander Speeth, who was walking home alone.
Since the 70s in the United States thousands of colleges, universities, women's centers and rape crisis centers have sponsored Take Back the Night events across the country.
"Tucson has been celebrating since then and has had ebbs and flows of organization of it,"Caballero said. "Since the early 2000s, a group of anti-violence advocates have been organizing it to raise awareness, show support to survivors and encourage the community at large to get involved and work to stop all forms of sexual violence."
Tucson event
What: Tucson's event is more than just a rally. There will be a march, candle light vigil, dance, speakers, resource fair and poetry. You'll also be able to listen to survivors of sexual assault speak out.
Between 400 and 500 people are expected to attend, Caballero said.
When: 4-9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: City of South Tucson Municipal Complex, 1601 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free
Other info: This event is family friendly. All are welcome. Click here to learn more about Take Back the Night
