On most Wednesday nights, Whitney students would be tidying their dorms for general inspection. But it was not most Wednesday nights.

Whitney M. Young hosted its Take Back the Night Walk Wednesday evening, as students and staff marched around the campus to raise awareness of sexual violence, in conjunction with an effort from wellness staff to collect money for the cause as well while observing denim day. They raised $120.

“It is a serious public health issue in the United States and worldwide,” said Whitney M. Young Mental Health Consultant Amy Worthington. “It profoundly impacts people who have been victimized.”

And going by the numbers, it is a significant problem – one third of women and 25 percent of men have been the victim of rape or attempted rape. The numbers only increase for vulnerable communities, such as members of the LGBT community.

“Part of what we want to do is call attention to the issue because it’s kind of a silent issue,” Worthington said. “Most people who are assaulted don’t report it. In fact, less than fifty percent of all sexual assaults actually get reported.”

Worthington considers the event a success, with a strong turnout for the march of a little more than 40 people.

“I think it was a great success,” she said. “We had a lot of turnout and support. Most of our leadership was there, as well as the majority of our students…The students were respectful, engaged and attentive. It was a powerful walk.”