Alex Slitz/Daily News Hundreds of people gather at the Justice Center for Take Back The Night, Thursday, March 28, in Bowling Green, Ky. The annual event promotes awareness of sexual assault.

Alina Klein was raped in her bedroom when she was 16 years old. The man who raped her was accused of several other rapes in the town where Klein lived, but was only convicted in one case and served less than a week in jail.

Klein shared her personal story and read excerpts from her book “Rape Girl” to hundreds gathered Thursday night at the Justice Center for Take Back the Night, a march and vigil organized annually to raise awareness about sexual abuse and violence. “Rape Girl” is not an autobiography, but was inspired by Klein’s own story.

“We can amplify each other’s voices. … The more we speak out, the more we take away power from our perpetrators,” Klein said to the large crowd of people who gathered to support the cause.

Rape crisis center Hope Harbor in Bowling Green has hosted the event for years empowering victims and survivors of sexual violence with support from the community letting them know that “you’re not alone,” said Hope Harbor community educator Megan Talcott, who said Thursday’s event drew 450 to 500 people.

“There are people that are going to believe you,” Talcott said.

Those walking the streets of downtown Bowling Green held up signs that read “my body, my choice” and “got consent? because you need it.”

Tammy Britt of Smiths Grove said she has close ties to Hope Harbor and attends Take Back the Night to show appreciation to the organization that supported her after she was raped at age 21.

“I would just encourage anyone that’s been affected to reach out for support that they are entitled to,” Britt said. “This isn’t something anybody can get through alone. … Hope Harbor is a great resource.”

While not everyone at Take Back the Night has been a victim of sexual violence, most said they had a friend or family member experience sexual violence and wanted to come out in their honor.

“I have … family members that were sexually abused,” said Sharon Turner of Glasgow, who said her abused relatives never told anyone about the abuse because they were so young when it happened and they felt ashamed.

“I just wish more people would get involved,” Turner said. “More people would get involved and so many more people would tell when it does happen. Stop the abuse.”

Hope Harbor volunteer Connie Knapp of Bowling Green is a sexual abuse survivor and said that volunteering at the center is a way for her to give back.

“I’m 62 years old. When I was a girl going through my problems I didn’t have anywhere to go for help,” Knapp said. “When you have been a victim to see this turnout it’s a real uplifting feeling.”

The event ended in a candlelight vigil and the crowd singing along to “This Little Light of Mine.”

“When you have this many people it shows that it’s OK to talk about it,” said Hope Harbor Executive Director Melissa Whitley. “I think everyone is responsible as bystanders to see situations where we can step in and stop the violence from happening.”