The Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc has reinvented their annual Rock Against Rape event. This year the 9th annual Rock Against Rape will be held at Capt’n Bills Backyard Grill, Friday April 16 from 11a.m. to 10p.m.

Lindsay Husch, lead coordinator of Rock Against Rape, was in charge of creating and delegating tasks to a committee. In the past, the event has been a series of small concerts in the Wilmington area. Husch and the committee opted to take a different approach this year.

“The committee agreed to ‘reinvent’ Rock Against Rape by having it one day at one venue instead of having small concerts at various bars,” said Husch.

Rock Against Rape will feature live music from local bands, a silent auction, and family friendly activities like corn hole and volleyball tournaments. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Rape Crisis Center.

“Rock Against Rape is the Rape Crisis Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year,” said freshman Austin Hinton. “There are going to be bands, lots of food, lots of games, auctions, raffles and so much more. There’s stuff to do for all ages.”

According to Husch, the event is as much about raising money as it is about raising awareness. 1 in 6 American women and 1 in 33 American men have been the victims of attempted or completed rape in their lifetime, and Rock Against Rape is the Rape Crisis Center’s way to unite members of the community against sexual violence.

While Rock Against Rape will only be one day of awareness and fundraising, the Rape Crisis Center is also providing people with other ways to spread awareness and support the cause.

The kickoff party for Rock Against Rape will take place at Front Street Brewery on Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight. The kickoff party includes live music and free appetizers. Those wishing to further support the Rape Crisis Center can buy a drink at the bar of Front Street Brewery during the month of April; a portion of the bar sales during the month will be donated to the Rape Crisis Center. For more information on how to support the Rape Crisis Center and learn more about Rock Against Rape, search “Port City Rock Against Rape” to find the event on Facebook.