You may think you don't know any former victims, but you do.

You may think sexual assault and violence does not affect you, but it does.

Tonight, at 6 p.m. at Old Main, the annual Take Back The Night rally and march will begin.

Take Back The Night protests sexual violence against both men and women. It is a call to regain the safety of the streets of our own community. It is a supportive event for survivors of sexual violence and a strengthening one for the community.

Your mother, your sister, your neighbor or your friend could have been victimized, but may have never told you. Women aren't the sole victims of such crimes. Men, too, can be sexually assaulted -- at the beginning of the month, police received a report of a man who was indecently assaulted by a stranger in the Rec Hall locker room.

Last year, a student was gang raped downtown. An acquaintance assault, in which the victim knows his or her attacker, was just reported a few weeks ago. In March, a man posing as a member of the university escort service attempted to assault a woman.

Take Back The Night provides an important opportunity to show that we will not accept such horrors in our community.

Many reports of sexual violence have been seen in the pages of this newspaper. The Daily Collegian has reported on nine sexual assaults this semester, not including any assault attempts. Survivors have also come forward, both here and in public forums.

This community has made progress in addressing sexual assault and searching for ways to prevent it. There have been efforts to increase lighting in hopes of limiting places where potential assailants can hide.

Today is a day for strength and solidarity in the State College community. It is a day to show that sexual violence is unacceptable.

Men can wear a white ribbon today to show that they do not condone violence against women. Women can wear teal ribbons to show solidarity.

Everyone can join the rally and march, starting at 6 p.m. at Old Main.

Show your support, and encourage others to do so.

Also, remember that assaults can happen any day of the year.

Keep today's events in mind, and continue to show that sexual assault and violence will not be tolerated within our community.