University of Virginia (UVa) Christian student organisation Seek His Face is planning a 72-hour prayer vigil and campus prayer meeting next week to end sexual violence.

More than 30 student ministries and organisations are expected to participate in the intercession from February 26-28.

UVa has been under investigation for years by the Education Department over their handling of sexual violence cases. The campus' history drew national attention when Rolling Stone published an article in December about an alleged gang rape at a fraternity party. 

A female student alleged that she was attacked at a frat house as part of an initiation ritual, and was dissuaded from reporting the crime by her friends. Many facts of the case were not verified by the magazine, and were found to be untrue after other news outlets investigated.

However, the presidents of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) banned their sororities from participating in events during Boys' Bid Night earlier this month. 

The fraternity ritual marks the end of rush week, and is one of the biggest party nights on college campuses. At UVa, the night had been linked to binge drinking and allegations of sexual assault.

Traditionally, sororities party with their brother fraternities on bid night, but NPC sorors were forced to abstain.

Seek His Face hopes the prayer vigil will alleviate the problems on campus, and encourages both students and community members to participate. A prayer meeting will be held on February 28 at 7 pm at Ern Commons, 714 Alderman Road.