For sexual assault awareness month, two local organizations are partnering to help victims of sexual assault.

Missouri Southern’s own Alpha Sigma Alpha is partnering with Lafayette House to present Take Back the Night, a sexual assault awareness event. Take Back the Night is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 on the Oval.

“With Take Back the Night, we hope to give awareness to our students and community of domestic violence and how we can make a positive difference in those who have been abused,” said ASA member Katie Bromley. “Take Back the Night is a humbling event because you will hear testimonies from survivors on what they have done to overcome domestic violence.”

Guest speakers will begin around 7:30 p.m., Bromley said, and a “survivor speak out” will be offered to victims that who to share their stories. A candlelight vigil to remember victims of sexual assault will conclude the event.

“Take Back the Night is a humbling event because you will hear testimonies from survivors on what they have done to overcome domestic violence,” Bromley said.

The Lafayette House will also have its “Clothesline Project” on display, which consists of T-shirts painted by victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The shirts let each woman tell her story.

According to the Clothesline Project website, “It becomes a healing tool for anyone who makes a shirt – by hanging the shirt on the line, survivors, friends, and family can literally turn their back on some of the pain of their experience and walk away; finally it allows those who are still suffering in silence to understand they are not alone.”

Bromley said the Lafayette House, which aids victims of abuse, is one of ASA’s local philanthropies.

“We wanted to take our partnership with the Lafayette House to the next level by hosting Take Back the Night,” Bromley said.

Criminal justice administration major Ketrina Jones, another ASA member, said someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every two minutes.

“I was happy to do this event because people don’t realize how often sexual assault happens and how big of a problem it is,” Jones said. “It is very important to inform everyone on how to prevent sexual assault so at least we can make a difference on our campus.”