Take Back the Night March

By 250 News

Women and children participants leave City Hall for the downtown march

Prince George, B.C. -  It is a sad irony that as women, children, and a number of men gathered on the front lawn of City Hall this evening for the annual 'Take Back the Night' march, Prince George RCMP were issuing a news release about a sexual assault that occurred in the city.

This latest act of violence serves to underscore the need for continued rallying against the victimization of women.

March Coordinator, Jillien Humphrey, spoke to the crowd before they took to the streets, "One of the things I want to say about this event, is that it really helps empower those who have been victimized by violence -- it can really help move people from victims to being more survivors and it can be really inspirational."

Although a number of 'Take Back the Night' marches across the country do include men, Humphrey said the march-portion of the Prince George event has historically been a walk for women to feel safe on the street, without male protectors.  Men have always been encouraged to cheer on the women and children participants from the sidelines.  However, Humphrey said, this year, an anonymous poll was being taken, with all those in attendance being encouraged to share their thoughts on male participation in future years.

Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers told participants that one of council's priorities is ensuring a safer community and he says supporting events like 'Take Back the Night' is one of the ways to achieve that goal.

In addition, he said, as a father of two young daughters, a husband, and a brother he tries to listen to what the women in his life tell him about their experiences with fear and the potential for violence, but, he said, as a man who's six-feet tall, he can only imagine it. 

"And I know there's some discussion tonight -- in fact, a ballot -- as to whether men can walk with you, but let me tell you: I and many others, while we may not walk side-by-side, we are there in supportive spirit because we know how important it is that you feel and everyone feels safe in their community."

For her part, RCMP Superintendent, Brenda Butterworth-Carr, said she was honoured to be part of the evening's festivities and she assured those gathered that the Prince George detachment was being proactive in ensuring the safety of residents in this community.

The last speaker before the march began was Robin Stoy, herself a survivor of violence.  Stoy has been out of an abusive relationship for more than 25-years and has been an advocate for women and children for as many years.

"So my journey and my quest has been to bring service and give back and bring knowledge so that women know what healthy is and what unhealthy is," Stoy told the crowd. 

"And I think that when we give this a voice and we say we're not going to take it anymore and we stand up and we say what's really going on and we take it out of those dark rooms," she said, "I think when we can do all that, we can stand together, we can unite and we can stop violence against women and children."

With that, she urged the crowd to take to the streets and be loud in their calls for the violence to end.

 Photos below show participants from the 'Women in the Wind' motorcycle club on left, and UNBC students on right

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