Academy prepares to 'Take Back the Night' Published April 13, 2015 U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy's annual Take Back the Night event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m., April 16 at Clune Arena and feature the Air Force's top civilian leader and a national speaker on sexual assault. This event is part of the Academy's year-round efforts to increase awareness and bolster prevention against sexual violence, while promoting an environment of respect for human dignity. Additionally, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. For the event, doors will open at 6 p.m., with displays and information booths. The main program will begin at 7 p.m., and feature Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, a candlelight vigil and presentation by keynote speaker, Katie Koestner. James is the 23rd secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force's top leader. She is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than 690,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and their families. She also oversees the Air Force's annual budget of more than $110 billion. Koestner is the first victim of date rape to speak out nationally about her experience in college. She appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine in June of 1991. HBO produced a movie about her story in 1993. Today, she leads the Take Back the Night Foundation, which aims to end sexual violence in all forms. According to the Take Back the Night Foundation, one in three women and one in six men worldwide experience some form of sexual violence, but less than 50 percent of victims report these crimes. Take Back the Night is open to all Academy personnel and Defense Department ID cardholders. Sexual Assault Awareness Month events here include a cadet town hall meeting, an Academy town hall meeting and a baseball game.