Rape is often called a "crime of silence" because so few cases are reported -- the FBI estimates that only 10 percent of victims report their assaults.

Last night, however, victims and their supporters were anything but silent. They came together for Take Back the Night, an annual rally against sexual assault organized by the Center for Women Students, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA), and Men Against Violence.

A group of about 250 people took to the streets on a route leading from Pattee Library throughout campus and down Fraser Street. The group chanted as they went, using a megaphone to announce "no means no."

The marchers stopped and formed circles in East Halls, Pollock Halls and in front of a group of fraternity houses to draw attention to their cause. Once everyone had gathered, Audra Hixson, the program coordinator for the Center for Women Students, invited victims to step forward and share their stories. Again and again, rape victims described their assailant as "my best friend."

"Victims are trapped in their shame and their silence -- and they feel like because the person was their 'best friend' or a star athlete that they should say nothing," said Alley Rice, a State College resident and supporter of victims of sexual violence.

Hixson said that often friends of the victims accused the girls of somehow bringing it upon themselves.

"Unfortunately, we live in a society that would rather blame a woman and assassinate her character than believe her," said Hixson.

Hixson added that the great majority of sexual assaults are acquaintance rapes that occur downtown at apartment parties.

One Penn State freshman stepped forward and admitted for the first time that she was raped in the back of a car when she was only 12. To this day, even her identical twin sister doesn't know what happened. Throughout the night, about 20 victims stepped forward to tell their stories.

Gary Miller, assistant director of the Office of Judicial Affairs, urged rape victims to come forward.

"We will be here to support you," he said. "Tell your story and hold the offender accountable."

Robert Buelow, co-president of Men Against Violence, also addressed the crowd.

"We are here tonight because someone didn't care. Someone didn't listen. Someone didn't ask," he said.

Buelow also wanted to draw attention to Penn State's recent decision to remove the sexual assault program, Real Life Choices, from the First-Year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program (FTCAP). He said it will be replaced with a new program that will cover the transition from high school to college and time management, with only a brief mention of alcohol and sex.

Mallorie McCue (junior-women's studies and public relations), said she is upset that the university is removing sexual assault programs from FTCAP.

"A tiny section on alcohol awareness just doesn't cut it," she said. "We want the full program back and the full education of students."

Many in attendance signed petitions and letters addressed to Associate Vice President for Student Engagement Felicia McGinty and Penn State President Graham Spanier in an attempt to get the decision reversed.

Toward the end of the evening the group dwindled to about 30 people. The women, who had previously split from the men, concluded the march at Central Parklet, where they lit candles and shared a moment of silence for sexual assault victims everywhere.

Afterward, the group reconvened at Webster's Bookstore Cafe, 128 S. Allen St, to continue discussions on what can be done to decrease assault rates. Buelow said he believes that men have the power to stop violence, and that discussion and education are the answers. He also stressed that the fault does not lie with the victims.

"It doesn't matter what she was wearing, or where she went," he said. "Nobody asks to be raped."