By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – For a former Illinois State University student, Thursday evening’s Take Back the Night event in Downtown Bloomington may have been her farewell to the Twin-Cities.

She was among about 60 people who gathered for a rally, march, and candlelight vigil capping activities tied to Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The woman, 21, said she’s leaving to continue her education in Utah after someone she knew raped her January 31.

She was one of the featured speakers outside the McLean County Museum of History.

“I shouldn’t have to worry about being assaulted by my friends. I should be able to go out and have fun, and even get a little drunk if I want to without worry that one of my friends is going to hurt me,” she said.

“I shouldn’t be blaming myself for something that I did not do,” she added.

She said police did not have enough evidence to arrest her attacker.

The woman said considered suicide and checked herself in to the mental health unit at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. She said it’s a shame that she has to leave Bloomington-Normal.

“I couldn’t handle being around here,” she said.

“The person who assaulted me knew where I lived, and I didn’t feel safe anymore.”

The woman said she loved the sense of community in the Twin-Cities.

Take Back the Night activities were organized by YWCA McLean County.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]