End the silence
Hundreds rally on The Green to raise awareness
7:05 p.m., Sept. 19, 2014--More than 300 members of the University of Delaware community, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, gathered on the steps of Memorial Hall and the nearby North Green on Friday, Sept. 19, to voice their concerns regarding sexual harassment and assault.
The End the Silence, End the Shame rally afforded several participants the opportunity to share their personal experiences as victims of sexual assault or to express their support for those affected by such incidents.
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Speakers who shared their personal experiences were cheered by the crowd.
Representatives from Sexual Offense Support (SOS), which provides confidential, 24-hour victim advocacy, crisis care and support, handed out flyers listing services and resources on campus and in the community.
At the conclusion of the rally, the participants marched around campus.
University President Patrick Harker applauded the students and faculty members who organized the event.
“I thank those who choose to speak today or have their stories told,” Harker said. “The exchange of ideas -- no matter what the topic -- is the foundation on which all higher education is based. The fact that this event was organized by our students is especially heartening evidence to me that they are committed to helping change a national culture that has allowed sexual harassment and abuse to occur too long.”
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Evan Krape