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Diverse
group of women ‘Take Back the Night’ A group of 10 women stood silently in Victoria Park Thursday night, holding signs. One sign read ‘Mother.” One read ‘Aunt.’ Others read ‘Principal,’ ‘Firefighter’ and ‘Police Officer.’ These signs, and more importantly, the women holding those signs, were meant to represent the diversity of women who are victims of violence. They were participants in the annual Take Back the Night event, which took place last Thursday evening in downtown Peterborough. “This showed that there is no particular type of woman who (is) assaulted,” explains Karen Basciano, public education and special events co-ordinator for the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre. She is also co-ordinator of the Take Back the Night event. Diversity was the unofficial theme of the evening, as a wide range of women attended the event. About 125 women were there, “from babies to age 86,” and from all walks of life, says Karen. “It was very diverse – there were students, older women, women of privilege and women not of privilege,” says Karen. Many of the women who attended are active in the anti-violence movement, either in their jobs, as volunteers, or out of personal interest, adds Karen. The women rallied, sang, shared stories, marched through downtown, and topped off the evening with food, refreshments and open stage performances at a local church hall. Lynn Zimmer, executive director of the YWCA of Peterborough, Victoria and Haliburton and member of the Peaceful Communities steering committee attended the rally and march. “There was lots of positive energy,” she says, adding she displayed a Peaceful Communities banner at the event. In the wake of a reported sexual assault that occurred in downtown Peterborough two days prior to the event, there is a need for events like Take Back the Night, says Lynn. It is ironic the assault took place so close to the event, however, says Lynn, “sexual assault happens every day, and it may or may not be reported.” Despite raised awareness of sexual assault, women are still at high risk, she says. “The community has a certain tolerance of violence, and women are vulnerable to that. It shows there is still a lot of work to do. (Take Back the Night) is a reminder of that.” |
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