SALT LAKE CITY -- A group of students marched in Salt Lake City Wednesday night to empower victims of sexual assault and help shape change and understanding in the community.
The Students for Choice group at the University of Utah works to promote sexual health and reproductive rights. Wednesday night, they hosted the walking event called "Take Back the Night" as part of Sexual Assault Prevention Month.
The walk went from the University of Utah’s campus to Westminster College’s campus. The group is seeking to end sexual violence in all forms, and group leaders said Wednesday’s walk was a call to action.
“This is a community issue,” said Leah Weisgal, president of Students for Choice at Westminster College. “This is a society issue. This isn't just a women's issue. This isn't just a students’ issue."
According to Students for Choice, one in three women in Utah are victims of sexual violence. The groups said this event is part of their inaugural Start By Believing Day—and they said this public awareness campaign will continue to focus on ending sexual violence in all forms, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, dating violence and domestic violence. They plan to hold Start By Believing Day each year on the first Wednesday in April.
