Hundreds of students gathered in Wait Chapel on the evening of Feb. 12 to participate in the annual Rape Speak Out.

Organized by the Counseling Center and members of the Policy Group on Rape Education, Prevention and Response, the Speak Out was designed to raise awareness about rape and sexual assault.

The Speak Out featured two speakers an eight testimonials from rape and sexual assault victims. According to Marianne Schubert, director of the counseling center, the testimonials were anonymously submitted by students. The testimonials were emotional descriptions about the experiences of both female and male rape and sexual assault survivors. There were also pieces written by the boyfriend of a rape victim and by a man who had committed rape. The testimonials were read by members of PREPARE.

"The testimonials definitely made me think about how rape could happen to me" freshman attendee Brandi Rhoades said.

Sophomore Kimberly Hefferman, PREPARE executive board member, expressed the underlying message of the Speak Out: "Education is the key to prevention."

The main purpose of the Speak Out is to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault. "We want to call attention to the issue in hopes that the more attention that it has, the more it will diminish" Schubert said.

Junior Paris Ball, co-chair of PREPARE, said that another focus of the evening was to notify anyone who has been a victim that they are not alone and that there is help available.

One of the highlights of the evening included the lighting of candles.

Every 90 seconds a candle was lit during the Speak Out because, according to Schubert "the latest statistics in the United States show that someone is sexually assaulted every 90 seconds."

The candleholders were comprised of 30 members of the student body, faculty and administration.

Following the testimonials the audience members also lit candles.

In addition to the testimonials the attendees heard short orations from Michaelle Browers, assistant professor of political science. Browers presented "daunting statistics" about rape which included the fact that 14-20 percent of American women have been raped.

Likewise, approximately 70,000 high school and college students surveyed responded that they were the victims of date rape.

Senior Andy Rigsby also spoke and challenged those in attendance to speak out against rape. He suggested organizations such as Men Against Rape and WISE as outlets in which to fulfill this challenge.

"Tonight is our opportunity to understand rape in a way that makes it our problem," Rigsby said. He explained that he chose to become involved in rape prevention because "rape affects everyone."

He said he came to realize this after an acquaintance of his was raped.

All sorority pledges were required to attend the Speak Out as a part of the pledge education program Schubert said.

Several fraternities and athletes also attended, as well as members of the student body and faculty.