In the mission to end gender-based sexual assault and domestic violence, supporters recently took to the streets of downtown Creston.
On Friday, Sept. 20, Take Back the Night marched a loop from Millennium Park down Canyon Street and back wielding signs with the message.
In the 1970s, the movement began as a stand against sexual violence in all forms. Those who first started the protests were advocating for the essential right of women to walk alone at night without fear of being raped, harassed, or otherwise harmed - leading to the name Take Back the Night. It is now supported in over 1,400 communities in 40 countries with annual events.
The data on gender-based violence is alarming, showing that 44 per cent of women have reported experiencing some kind of psychological, physical, or sexual abuse (Government of Canada, 2018).
“There are so many people, unfortunately, who have been touched by violence, whether it’s themselves or somebody that they know,” said Stephannie Dunn, executive director at the Kootenai Community Centre Society.
Even more startling statistics show that in 2022, a woman or girl was murdered violently every 48 hours, primarily by men (Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability).
“It’s an epidemic,” said Dunn. “We’re just trying to bring awareness to the amount of violence. It’s a real problem all across Canada. And 50 years later, while there’s been some change, there hasn’t been substantial change.”
While women have historically been targets, Kootenai Community Centre Society is committed to ending sexual and domestic violence for people of all sexual and gender identities through Take Back the Night.
For Creston, that Friday marked the first solidarity walk since the pandemic. Dunn said the turnout was impressive, and the hope is the initiative will continue to grow as more people become educated and aware of the cause.
“To see survivors is a message of hope sent out to others who are experiencing violence,” she said. “To have a walk symbolizes that we're not alone in our fight.”
Oftentimes, survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence still face stigma that can prevent them from speaking up, seeking help, and healing.
“In most cases, the victim herself will take on some, if not all, of the blame by believing that she deserved to be treated like that,” said Dunn. “It's not a woman's issue. It's a societal issue, and it needs to be addressed.”
For those in need of help, there are resources available. In Creston, Kootenai Community Centre Society provides a safe home and outreach services to women and their children who are suffering domestic abuse, are in crisis, or in need of a housing alternative.
The centre can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the crisis line at 250-428-6856. For more information, visit kootenaicommunitycentre.org.
“I myself am a survivor,” said Dunn. “I left on my own with my children. I didn't know that there were resources out there like this. Just knowing that those services are available is a huge step in helping address some of the problems, by educating the community that it's there.”
Her message to other women facing violence is, “You’re not alone.”
“There’s support out there,” said Dunn. “Reach out - talk to your best friend, talk to your family, just try not to isolate yourself.”
