Dozens participated in the One Billion Rising event Thursday at Sonic Plaza on the East Carolina University campus. Hosted by the Center for Family Violence and REAL Crisis Intervention, the event held as a 15th anniversary V-Day celebration and movement to end violence against women and girls.

The event was a success for a first-time effort, Lorrie Palaruan, an organizer with REAL Crisis, said. “We had a steady group of 30ish dancing, filled with positive vibes,” she said. “It was great because even some students stopped mid-trek to class to dance as well.”

Pam Strickland of Stop Human Trafficking NOW also participated in the event, Palaruan said. One Billion Rising is a global call to action based on the statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, that adds up to more than one billion women and girls, according to organizers.

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