For the 23rd time, women will gather for an annual walk into the Prince George evening as a show of solidarity. The annual Take Back the Night walk will march from City Hall tonight at 6 p.m.
As has always been the case, "the event is a women and children's march only," said a statement issued by the organizers. "Men are respectfully requested to provide their support at the event by assisting with the reception after the march. Hot beverages and snacks will be provided at the reception by the John Howard Society."
The first Take Back the Night on record occurred at The International Tribunal on Crimes against Women in 1976 in Brussels, Belgium. Within a year, a mimic march was held in Italy, followed quickly by Germany, Australia, India and England. Now, it is global and practiced in communities large and small.
"The event is held in memory of women who have not survived violence, to celebrate those who have and to demand an end to violence," said the organizers. "All of the marches have the common themes of awareness and accountability. Our goal is to hold offenders rather than survivors accountable for abusive behaviour. [Tonight] we will protest this violence by taking back the streets as our own, without the protection of male companions."
For more information about the March please contact Lana Tosoff, SOS Society (Surpassing Our Survival) at 250-564-8302 or l.tosoff@telus.net.
