About 30 people, including members of the V-Day Akron group, gathered at the Jefferson County courthouse in Steubenville Thursday for a worldwide flash mob event with the One Billion Rising movement. The event calls for the end of violence against women and girls.

"When the 15th anniversary of V-Day came along and the One Billion Rising campaign of having one billion activists around the world stand up and demand an end to violence, we're in Ohio. We said the place we have to go is Steubenville," said organizer Deb Lemire.

The group also showed support for the alleged victim in the teen rape investigation. People of all ages came out for the worldwide movement involving more than 200 countries.

"I want to be able to support and bring a voice to the outer world as a representative of youth. Because a lot of times, youth don't really get a say in what's going on in the world," said Rachel Kunz, a 15-year-old participant.

The dancers went over moves to the song "Break the Chain" before a monologue kicked off the event.
People said they felt empowered and hope to bring positive energy to the community.

"I really believe that as we heal the women, if every woman on earth felt peaceful within her body and felt safe, then simultaneously we would realize world peace," said Julie Norman, of Akron.

Occupy Steubenville activists also showed their support. More than 200 countries participated in the performance. Organizers said they want to keep up awareness of assault and violence to that anyone struggling with those issues can overcome it.