CORNWALL, Ontario – Locals have been marching annually across the city in support of Take Back the Night, an international event that first took place in Pennsylvania in 1975 to raise awareness and fight against violence against women.
This year, advocates will be taking to the street on Thursday, Sept. 19, meeting at 6:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence College where speeches will be made. Attendees will then walk down Second St. and back.
“The goal is to create awareness and to work towards ending sexual violence,” said this year’s event organizer Christine Piette.
“The CEIU Local 621’s Women’s Committee will be running the event…we also work with many community partners such as SASS,” explained Piette.
During last year’s march, participants shouted slogans clearly stating that all women should be safe to travel the streets at night, and many held signs with similar messages.
Susanna Neville, a sexual assault survivor, explained to the crowd of advocates why events like the march are important for survivors like herself.
“Once I shared my experience, I was no longer scared to share it,” she said. “Telling my story helped me to find my voice. Telling my story helped me overcome my shame over it.”
More information on the event can be found at takebackthenight.org.
