Doug Leslie and Louanne Montgomery’s family address anti-violence march. Photos 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – The memory of women who have fallen victim to violence and the demand for an end to such violence were the thought foremost in the minds of those who gathered in Prince George Friday night for the 23^rd Take Back the Night march.

Women and children and men gathered in front of City Hall to listen to speakers and Lheidli T’enneh singers and drummers prior to departing on the march through downtown streets, a procession which, respectfully, is limited to women and children only. Co-ordinator Lana Tosoff, a counselor at the SOS Society, formerly the Sexual Assault Centre, for the past 21 years, opened by saying “I want to take a minute to honor all the people that have experienced sexual violence or trauma in their lives, those who have survived and those who have perished. And thank you so much for coming to this important event as we walk through the streets safely together as a group.”

Dr. Lela Zimmer, nursing professor at UNBC and a representative of the Women North Network/Northern Fire, the centre for women’s health research at UNBC, said “one study that we’re just completing looked at the health of women over 45 who are precariously employed or unemployed. This is a really invisible group. We found that many of these women live lives that are intersected by poverty, by chronic illness, mental health issues, certainly by racism and sexism as many of them live lonely lives, many of them are absolutely invisible.”

Dr. Zimmer explained that “they often fall between the bureaucratic cracks and these woman need to be acknowledged by the system and provided with adequate, accessible health care, good living conditions and with livelihoods that actually allow them to survive.” She says they also need to be recognized for their contributions to the lives of their loved ones, families and communities.

Another project, done collaboratively with SOS, was specifically aimed at teen girls. “The goals were to increase these girls’ self-esteem, to equip them to make good dating relationship choices, because as you know there’s a lot of dating violence that goes on for women in that age group, and to assist them to develop positive supportive peer relationships. Remarkably what resulted from our sessions was a very powerful connection that allowed us to respect and transcend our differences. And the oldest of us learned from the youngest and vice versa.”

She says “it’s so important for women and girls of all ages to talk, to listen and to learn from one another and it’s absolutely essential. A supportive environment can really help girls to love and trust themselves and to resist the influences of those negative stereotyping and misogynistic messages that come from the media and society at large.”

The Circle of Truth coordinator at the SOS Society, Dean Glacekyser, says “most often in our communities it’s the most vulnerable that are exposed to sexual and physical violence and trauma.” He briefly mentioned the name of the multiple murderer who was sentenced this week for killing three women and a 15-year-old girl. No other person at last night’s march spoke the name.

“The trial” he said “has stirred up a lot of emotion about the ongoing history of sexual and physical violence in our community and has stirred up a lot of energy regarding why we’re here tonight. Now is the time for all of us to say that we’re tired, fed up with the gender violence, fed up with the rape culture, fed up with victim blaming, with the under-representation of aboriginal women, the missing and murdered.”

Take Back the Night march heads up 7th Avenue from City Hall

“As a male in our community I’m fed up with patriarchy. It’s the power and controlling system that continues to keep equality at bay and continues to create justification for violence that continues to impact peoples’ lives. We need to use the energy from this recent trial, from the energy from all of you that are here that have a story to make this fight louder. We need to make the message front and centre.”

He added “on the same token I stand here and challenge men to take on the role of social activist, to make violence against women our issue too. We need to make our voice louder about holding men responsible for their actions. Stop the victim blaming. This march has been about women making their presence known on the field and men, we have the choice to remain silent or cheer from the sideline.”

Also present at the 23^rd Take Back the Night were Doug Leslie, father of 15-year-old Loren Donn Leslie, and the mother, Louanne, and family of Natasha Lynn Montgomery. Mr. Leslie spoke of how difficult the trial was, how hard it has been dealing with things in recent years, but also mentioned how close and tightly meshed the families of the Loren and Natasha and Cynthia Frances Maas and Jill Stacey Stuchenko became as they took a journey that no one should have to take.

Louanne Montgomery thanked those present for attending, but could find no words to express what she is feeling.

After speaking and descending the steps in front of City Hall, Doug Leslie was approached by a woman who identified herself as Tracey Matters, sister of Prince George war veteran Greg Matters. Mr. Leslie said yes, he had heard of the death of her brother and had heard of Tracey, too.   The two hugged briefly, spoke just for a moment and gave another light hug and, as Tracey was about to leave, they turned and hugged again, holding on this time.  Out of recognition? Of sorrow? Of empathy and compassion? Out of a need for something to ease the pain?

Doug Leslie and Tracey Matters exchange a supportive hug

And then the women and children who had gathered to demand an end to violence left the front of City Hall to Take Back the Night.