The terraces at Southeast Missouri State University were illuminated with candles and stringed lights on Thursday when the Campus Violence Prevention Program, along with students, faculty and staff, gathered there to take part in the inaugural "Take Back the Night" event.

It began with those in attendance being invited to decorate candles that were available along the picnic tables. Individuals decorated their candles with the words "Take Back the Night," "No means no" and with the logos and letters or their respective organizations, and signs and luminaries that had been made the previous day decorated the stage and terraces.

Once the the sun began to set and the lights surrounding the terrace stage grew brighter, Donna St. Sauver, a graduate assistant for the Campus Violence Prevention Program who organized the event, took to the stage to welcome the crowd and to begin the open mic session.

"Tonight we are gathered to take a stand against sexual violence of all kinds.We are gathered to show support for survivors of sexual violence, " St. Sauver said. "We know that sexual violence affects all genders, all races and ethnicities, all socioeconomic statuses and education levels. Sexual violence affects everyone."

Eight men and women took the stage and shared their stories of how they have been impacted by forms of violence. The stories ranged from those who survived domestic violence to escape and prosecute their perpetrators, date rape, sexual assault and even those who were allies, speaking to show support for those who have been impacted. For many of the individuals, this was the first time they were sharing their stories publicly.

The men and women who spoke varied in age, race, gender and background, which echoed the nondiscriminatory manner in which sexual violence impacts people. And as they shared their stories they were applauded and shown support from the crowd of about 40 people.

Once the open mic came to a close, the keynote speaker took to the stage.

Diana Meyer, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sexually assaulted by a friend's husband at a neighborhood party and has been an advocate against sexual violence ever since.

She spoke about how it changed everything in life; she was not believed by many of her friends or even some of the law enforcement she first went to and went deep into depression.

"I never thought it could happen to me," Meyer said. "And so when it happened to me, I was completely confused and when I went to tell what happened to me, no one believed me. I didn't even want to believe it happened."

Meyer continued to share about her experience and about the two years it took to attain justice for the crime that had been committed against her. During that time her attacker and his family moved to Texas, where he was arrested once DNA evidence was processed.

Meyer said she thought that her chances of finding justice were possible until the assistant district attorney at the time told her that her case would not be taken to a jury due to her consumption of alcohol and that they could not prove she said no to her attacker. Once she was told this she went and sat in front of the ADA's office for three days to see if she would meet with her and when she was asked to leave, she said she did the only thing she could think of doing next -- she called the attorney general of the United States.

"It had the word 'attorney' in it so it made sense to me at the time," Meyer said. "So I call the office and they give me this beautiful woman named Becky who listens to me and gets angry with me but says, 'Lady I can't help you, but your state representative has an office right next to the courthouse, and I don't believe he is in session, so go have a talk with him.'"

Meyer took Becky's advice and went into her representatives office where he proceeded to meet with her, hear her story and contact the county prosecutor saying that they would take their story to the media if her case was not taken, and it was.

After a year, her case finally went to trial where her attacker was found guilty, but due to the Missouri statute that gives the jury the power to set the limit for sentencing for perpetrators who have no prior convictions, he was only given 30 days in jail, a $5,000 fine and was registered as a sex offender. However, he was later arrested once again for trying to solicit sex from a minor.

Meyer said that what people can do to help others survive sexual assault is to first believe them, be there for them and help them seek professional help. She said that she shares her story not to scare people or make them uncomfortable, but to bring awareness and help her heal.

"I tell my story to talk about what you can do to help in your community," Meyer said. "I talk not because I enjoy this, I talk because this is how I get my life back."

A candlelight vigil to honor those who have been affected by sexual violence and who have been killed by violent acts took place after Meyer's speech, which then culminated with the one-mile walk around campus to show support.

Student Michelle Ward who attended the event said that more events like these are needed on Southeast's campus.

"This event was supporting violence awareness, and I feel very strongly about this cause," Ward said. "The speakers were so moving and they made great points about trying to get the word out. I think they are needed to get different issues out and spread awareness."

For more information or to speak with a counselor, contact The Campus Violence Prevention Program at CVPP@semo.edu or in its office in Dearmont B1 Wing.