Katie Koestner will be addressing an audience about her experience as the first survivor of date rape to speak-out nationally on the issue at 7 p.m. today in the Student Center Ballroom.

This will kick off Kent State campus’s Take Back the Night event. Take Back the Night is a nationwide initiative to educate and spread awareness of sexual and domestic violence.

After Koestner speaks, a Take Back the Night March and Rally will begin at Risman Plaza and continue through campus around 8 p.m.

This year, the Women’s Center (formally known as the Women’s Resource Center) is in collaboration with the Take Back the Night Foundation and will be one of the national 10 Points of Light from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday. A candle will be lit to signify one of the 10 Points of Light across the nation and will be followed by a name burning, candlelit vigil and speak out.

All the events will be opportunities for survivors, as well as family and friends of victims of sexual and domestic violence to speak out, and for others to offer support. The name burning will offer an opportunity for survivors and victims families to burn the names of assaulters.

­— Lauren Vogel