It's fairly normal to walk across campus and hear "We are ... Penn State" being shouted by students -- but last night, the cheer was followed by the exclamation "We won't be raped!"

More than 200 students, faculty and community members showed up to take part in the annual Take Back the Night march and rally in support of survivors of sexual violence.

Throughout the night, participants were encouraged to follow the theme of "breaking the silence" by speaking about being raped.

The crowd rallied at Old Main, where male and female victims of rape, assault and domestic abuse spoke about their experiences.

"If more women speak out, we'll be harder to target," said Heather Whidden, co-director of Womyn's Concerns and a victim of sexual violence.

Whidden shared her story of being raped by a 24-year-old neighbor when she was a freshman at a Penn State Commonwealth Campus. After getting her intoxicated, the man told his friend to lock the door.

Whidden said that although she repeatedly refused, the man continued to pressure her to have sex until she complied.

"I pretty much knew it was going to happen whether I said yes or no," Whidden said. After she left the room, she said she threw up because she was so upset.

Scott Kiefer, president of Men Against Violence, spoke at the rally and encouraged men to take action when their friends act abusively toward women.

"Men are the problem -- 99.8 percent of people in jail for committing sexual assault are men," Kiefer said. "But what you hear about less is that men can also be the solution."

Some encouraged victims of rape to seek help at Penn State's Center for Women Students or University Health Services, which provides free follow-up care after sexual assault.

Ashley Reasner (freshman-division of undergraduate studies), who attended the rally, said it took a lot of courage for people to speak, but it was worth it for them to give courage to other people.

Poetry and songs about sexual violence were also presented.

The group then began its march around campus to Paterno Library, East Halls and Pollock Halls, making a stop at each location to form a circle and allow others to share their stories of assault for the first time.

Counselors, who were identified by purple armbands, were provided to help victims.

A candlelight vigil was then held on Frat Row to close the event.

The march and rally were also sponsored by the Centre County Women's Resource Center, Allies and Amnesty International.

Katie Stanton, co-director of Womyn's Concerns, said Penn State President Graham Spanier may speak at next year's Take Back the Night.

In the meantime, the journey toward healing continues for those who took the first step last night and spoke out about being assaulted.

After six years, Whidden said she decided to speak out and find healing because she found so many girls were going through similar things.

Still, Whidden said she realizes that the assault has permanently changed her life.

"It's something that's going to be with me forever, and he won't ever have to think about it again," Whidden said.