With the Nittany Lion mascot leading the way, a crowd of at least 250 students marched down Pollock Road on Friday, chanting "We Are... Against Sexual Violence."
The march was a historic first in the University Park Undergraduate Association's efforts to combat sexual violence at Penn State and came just before another report of sexual assault this weekend.
Student Life and Diversity Committee Chairman Christian Ragland worked with the Women's Studies Department, Women's Affairs and many on and off-campus student activist groups to enact the first public response to five reported sexual assaults this semester.
UPUA Chief of Staff Matt Smith (senior-international politics) created the theme "Every Lion, a Shrine" for the event.
The march was only the start to the diversity's committee's plans to educate students and show that sexual violence will not be tolerated, Ragland (junior-political science) said.
"It's one thing to create awareness, but its another thing to understand these issues can really affect anyone," he said.
Many student activist groups marched Friday, holding signs and waving flags in support of the cause. The march grew as it moved down Pollock Road, gaining more students as the activists made their way.
Marchers said they were glad to see student government taking on the issue of sexual violence, allowing for many more students to realize what is happening on campus.
"We're such a small group, we couldn't get the word out like we'd like to," said Belle Genao (sophomore-criminal law and justice), a member of Peers Helping Reaffirm, Educate and Empower. "I'm looking forward to collaborating with UPUA."
Some groups hoped it would better publicize their message of preventing sexual violence and potentially help recruit new members. Men Against Violence Against Women President Scot Brown said sexual violence is in no way just a women's issue.
"I think a lot of guys are interested in the issue but think it's not something they have to deal with," said Brown (senior-international politics). "But they have a role to play, on campus and in society."
Other non-activist student groups attended in support of UPUA's efforts.
Off-Campus Student Union President Meghan Furey (senior-animal science) said her group was invited by Ragland and because of the severity of the issue, "absolutely thought we needed to be here."
Ragland said the safety of the student body is something UPUA will continue to highlight.
"We do want to make ourselves accountable for what happens on campus," he said.
