CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A march designed to raise awareness about gender-based violence – what it is and how to stop it – will take place in Charlottetown on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m.
The Take Back the Night march will start at the Coles Building and end at the Victoria Park Pavilion with speeches and music.
Take Back the Night (TBTN) is the earliest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence, specifically violence against women. Events began in Europe in the 1960s to protest the lack of safety women experienced walking the streets alone. This movement has grown to hundreds of events around the world.
The 2020 initiative to revitalize the Take Back the Night tradition in P.E.I. is spearheaded by the P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre (PEIRSAC) and has been organized over the past six months by an advisory committee of 11 community-based organizations and groups. This project is made possible through a violence-prevention grant from the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat.
“Gender-based violence is a public health issue, and it has become even more acute in the context of COVID-19,” said Rachael Crowder, executive director of PEIRSAC.
The movement aims to end violence in homes, schools, workplaces, relationships, as well as gendered threats and harassment online, she said.
“Most gendered violence is from people we know, not strangers in the night,” said Crowder. “Take Back the Night is about bringing light to the secrecy and silence that has surrounded women and gender minorities’ experiences of violence.”
People who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been outside the Atlantic bubble or have been in contact with someone who has symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 should not attend but are invited to watch the live stream on the Take Back the Night P.E.I. Facebook page. Participants are asked to wear a mask to the event. A limited number of masks will also be available at the venue.
In advance of the march, a sign-making event will be held today, 7 p.m., at the P.E.I. Farm Centre (420 University Ave., Charlottetown).
All are welcome. For more information or to register, visit peirsac.org.
