FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) — Healing after sexual assault or domestic violence can take years and it can also leave victims feeling powerless. At Fresno State, some students, staff and faculty are taking back their power with a global march of solidarity. Take Back The Night is the oldest world wide protest against all forms of sexual assault and domestic violence. It’s a way for survivors to be heard and helped. “That includes like domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, like any type of sexual harm,” Fresno State Survivor Advocate Mindy Kates said. Sydney Firstman is a senior at Fresno State. This is her first Take Back the Night. “This is kind of ironic. I was too afraid to attend because I'm scared to come on campus at night and drive back home,” Fresno State senior Sydney Firstman said. Participating in Fresno State’s march is a way for Firstman to take back her power and agency because she is a survivor, too.   “I'm a victim of domestic violence myself, so just hearing other people's stories is really impactful, kind of bringing awareness to this situation,” Firstman said. Firstman is just one of millions of people who have experienced some form of assault. According to the national domestic violence hotline, over 12 million men and women have experienced some form of assault in just the past year. Mindy Kates is a survivor advocate with Fresno State. Her first Take Back The Night was in the 1990s. “It's really important that people have access so they don't feel alone and they don't stay in those situations where they continue to be harmed,” Kates said. This year's march comes on the heels of a murder suicide attempt in Donna just this morning. It’s news that hits close to home for Kates because she knows there are so many people out there who don’t know where to turn.   “There's been many times where this is the first time someone's really heard of these services and had people support them. That's just such an honor to be there for someone,” Kates said. In addition to Taking Back the Night, Firstman is also taking advantage of resources on campus.   “The Health and Counseling Center, they've helped me a lot. I started meeting with a counselor earlier this year to kind of talk about my past and revisiting it has been really helpful,” Firstman said.  ...read more read less