KEVIN B. KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Tennessee rocker Chip Roop performs last night in the Cellar at the Student Union Memorial Center in an attempt to raise money for the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity's national anti-sexual violence charity, "These Hands Don't Hurt."

A campus fraternity took a stand last night against a sensitive issue ÷ sexual violence.

At a free concert hosted by Alpha Kappa Lambda, fraternity members asked students to support their national anti-sexual violence charity "These Hands Don't Hurt" through cash donations and personal pledges to not commit sexually violent acts.

"It's awesome that they're doing this. I think sexual harassment is a really big problem, especially in college environments like this," said psychology freshman Sarah Bright.

About 40 students were in the Cellar at 7 p.m. when Tennessee rocker Chip Roop took the stage.

Roop, who is now embarking on a solo career after playing with the Tennessee rock band "Responsible Circuit," said he was honored to be a part of the event because he thinks "These Hands Don't Hurt" is "one of the most commendable charities there are."

A recent college graduate, Roop became involved with "These Hands Don't Hurt" through his own chapter of Alpha Kappa Lambda at Eastern Tennessee State University.

This was the fourth concert he has performed to benefit the charity.

"I absolutely love it," said Roop. "Anything I can do to help someone else makes me feel like I have a purpose."

Roop said he hopes he can help send the message that "toleration for beating, raping and abusing women is not acceptable."

Bright, who donated to the charity, said she was surprised to see a fraternity speaking out against something as serious as sexual violence.

"The only thing I've heard about frats are the bad stories," she said. "It's nice to see them doing something beneficial for the community."

Amanda Fiorito, an undecided freshman, also said she was surprised at the fraternity's involvement because she has heard so many negative stories about fraternities being punished or kicked off campus.

It's nice to see them(fraternities) doing something beneficial for the community. ÷ Sarah Bright psychology freshman

Ben McKenna, vice president of Alpha Kappa Lambda, said, "Fraternities have a bad image right now and we're trying to focus on the good things that frats are doing."

McKenna said he hoped the event would make students more aware of sexual violence.

"It happens more than people think," he said.

Throughout the night, students could donate money or make personal pledges by tracing their hands and signing their names on a pledge sheet.

"It's great that people come out here and support something like this," said Brad Rankin, an electrical engineering junior. "Some people try to keep it quiet, but it needs to be brought out in the open."

Alpha Kappa Lambda will be on the UA Mall today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. accepting more donations and personal pledges.

The money raised will go to local sexual assault organizations and support groups.