I commend the Take Back the Night Planning Coalition for including men in this year's march from Beaumont Tower, through campus, to 54B District Court — described in "Men also affected in many ways by rape, must help end violence" (SN 4/03).

This is a monumental step in bringing an end to sexual assault, moving from a reactive approach to a more proactive method by showing an entire community unified against sexual violence.

I understand and respect that Take Back the Night is traditionally a day of women's empowerment that shifts the blame of rape from the survivor to where that blame rightfully resides: on the perpetrator. And although most perpetrators of rape are men, not all men are rapists. Only by getting men involved in raising awareness about sexual assault can we start to change our society's attitudes about women and sexual violence.

I am very excited to be able to join with other men and women, students and community members next Tuesday to proclaim with a unified voice: "Break the Silence, End the Violence!"

Travis Reed
The Listening Ear Sexual Assault Counseling administrative coordinator