Eastern and Charleston communities will come together to honor victims of sexual assault during the 12th annual “Take Back the Night” at 7 p.m. today.

Ben Stenson, event organizer, said the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Service hosts the event to show support to assault victims and to let future victims know that there is a place that they can go to get help and become survivors of such a crime.

In previous years, the event was held exclusively for women, but members of SACIS decided to expand the event to all people because all people have to overcome the effects of sexual assault, not just women, said Jeanie Stenson, assistant event organizer.

“It’s a time for the Charleston community to show that they are ready to fight for a safer community,” Jamie said.

Stenson will start the event with a speech in front of the Campus Pond Pavilion.

Then, a candle-light march will proceed up Fourth Street to Lincoln, back down Seventh Street and back to the pond.

A bonfire will be set up for after the march around the pond, Stenson said.

The event will also feature the local band “Mother Lode” and other performers that night, he said.

“We are excited because we have much more live music and an open mic for the bonfire this year,” Stenson said.

Everyone is invited to come and sing, read a poem or say a few encouraging words to the community, Stenson said.

“People don’t know that 25 percent of Eastern’s female students will be victims of sexual assault,” he said. “This shows that we all need to get involved.”