After having students sign raindrop-shaped pledges to take a stand against sexual assault and violence and handing out flyers in the Student Union, volunteers for UB's first celebration of RAINN Day took to the promenade to rally their cause.
"This is a good cause; I'm more than happy to help out, hand out flyers and get people to sign pledges," said Andy Ripp, a senior civil engineering major.
Ripp said that it was important to him to take part in what is often considered a "woman's problem."
The signed pledges were strung up in a row and carried across the campus promenade by members of SBI Health Education, the Health and Wellness Center and the UB Men's Group, among others.
Jane Fischer, director of SBI Health Education, said that college-aged women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than the average woman.
"One in six women in America will be a victim of sexual assault in their lifetime," Fischer added, emphasizing the importance of talking about the issue on campus.
Tamding Tsering was visiting his sister, a UB student, and attended the rally.
"Recently, I heard there was some violence . . . and women feel very unsafe," Tsering said. "I think it's very good, what these groups are doing here."
The annual celebration is held nationally by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) across college campuses to raise awareness of sexual assault. This is the first time it has been celebrated at UB.
