More than 60 people joined together in blustery but sunny conditions in Oak Bluffs on Saturday to illuminate the problem of sexual violence and support survivors on the Island.

The third annual Sexual Assault Awareness Walk was kicked off by brief remarks at Ocean Park before participants walked to Circuit avenue, down to Lake avenue and over to the harbor and then back up to Seaview avenue and the bandstand.

“Three years ago we decided that we needed to raise more awareness about sexual violence because it’s all too common in our community but there wasn’t enough awareness and education about it,” said Jennifer Neary, director of Connect to End Violence, a Martha’s Vineyard Community Services program that runs the Island’s domestic violence and rape crisis center.

The group of walkers was double last year’s contingent, many of them wearing turquoise ribbons and bracelets in support of victims, and carrying signs that read “You Are Not Alone,” “I Walk Because I Care” and “Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault.”

Since last July 1, Connect has served 193 survivors of domestic and sexual violence, a number that is expected to increase and surpass the previous fiscal year’s count of 202 clients, she said.

“It tells us that more survivors are accessing services,” Ms. Neary said. “We don’t necessarily see that as an increase in violence in our community, because we know that is ever-present, but we see that as survivors coming forward, accessing services.”

Proceeds from the walk will help offset Connect services that are not underwritten by grants. Other April events to raise awareness include Denim Day on Tuesday, an international campaign to wear denim in solidarity with sexual assault victims.