In honor of April being “Sexual Assault Awareness Month,” there are several community events planned.

FLC’s Feminist Voice is hosting the third annual “Take Back the Night” march and rally on Thursday, April 10.

There will be separate female and male rallies, and then the two genders will march together downtown to Buckley Park for music, food and an open mike.

The women’s rally starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort Lewis College Amphitheater. The men’s rally also starts at 6:30 p.m. on the sidewalk between Noble and Sage halls on the FLC campus

Aimee Goddard, President of Feminist Voice, said the Take Back the Night Rally is important for a number of reasons, but particularly to provide the opportunity for male and female survivors of sexual assault to be heard.

“Our society silences survivors, and we’re giving them a forum to speak out,” she said. She expects 400 to 500 people to attend the rally, and said it is important for men to attend as well as women. Last year about 80 men attended, she said.

“The men’s rally is there because we definitely recognize that there are male survivors, and relatives of survivors,” Goddard said. “It’s a men’s issue too.”

Goddard said that male participants and onlookers have been very supportive in past marches, with one exception last year.

Marchers will be joined by noted author Inga Muscio, who will speak on April 10 at FLC.