By ADAM DUGGAN, Sun Correspondent
Lowell Sun

LOWELL -- Do you know four women and six men?

Then you know two victims or would-be victims of violent crime or domestic abuse.

April is sexual assault awareness month and seven local organizations, in conjunction with students from UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College, are doing their part to stop these depressing statistics.

Take Back the Night, the second annual march from Middlesex Community College to City Hall, steps off Tuesday night at 7.

"The ultimate goals of our TBTN are community-building, consciousness-raising and support for survivors of violent crime," said Lauren Cerretti, a 22-year-old senior at UMass Lowell, in an e-mail.

"We also hope that through TBTN a discussion can open up about Lowell, safety, fear, violence and possibly ideas about how to make positive changes."

Cerretti is president of the Gender Studies Club, which will start its rally on the UMass Lowell campus before joining the march downtown.

By speaking in a united voice, students hope to increase awareness of the risks of sexual assault. While Cerretti and her peers feel safe on the streets of Lowell, statistics indicate that violence increases at night. But students don't want fear to dictate the mood of the city.

With representatives on hand from the Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell, United Teen Equality Center and the Lowell Police Department, the march seeks to promote knowledge and awareness.

"We want to let people know more about the resources available to them,"
said Jessica Cohen, youth development director of UTEC, who has played a key role in the two-year event.

The rally is open to all. An open-mike session for those willing to share their experiences or thoughts, as well as a musical performance from Faythe Webster, will take place outside City Hall.