Embrace your voice! Embrace your voice to assert that all human beings have the right to be free from sexual violence; the right to speak out against sexual violence and be heard; and the right to reclaim those rights if violated.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and for the 16th consecutive year, the Northwest Arkansas' Take Back the Night march will be held, this time on Thursday, April 19.

Sponsored by the Pat Walker Health Center, STAR Central and RESPECT peer education group, this powerful and impactful night brings together community members for one common purpose — to speak out against sexual assault and relationship violence.

"Violence is a community issue that requires a community response advocating for cultural change," says Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert, Ph.D., MCHES, CWHC, director of STAR Central, Pat Walker Health Center. "Take Back the Night" serves as a venue for community members to come together in a unified voice to speak out against sexual violence, be a catalyst for change and bring an end to [sexual] violence."

Thousands of "Take Back the Night" marches and rallies have taken place worldwide, and here in Northwest Arkansas, support has always been prevalent that this community stands together against these heinous acts of violence.

Scheduled events for the 16th Annual Take Back the Night march include:

• 6:45 p.m. – Begin gathering at Fayetteville Square, Arvest Plaza
• 7 p.m. – Opening remarks
• 7:10 p.m. – March from Fayetteville Square to Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus
• 7:30 p.m. – Closing activities at Old Main with a proclamation from the Mayor of Fayetteville, and more.

Activities at Old Main include featured remarks by university speakers, a public speak-out, a candlelight vigil, inspirational singing and more.

All community members are encouraged to come out for this monumental event. Commemorative "glow-in-the-dark" t-shirts are available at the Pat Walker Health Center, on a limited basis. Proceeds benefit campus rape awareness and prevention education.

For more information about Take Back the Night, go to respect.uark.edu.