The annual walk to bring attention to people affected by violence is back and organizers hope the message is getting across.
Take Back The Night is a protest march and rally, demanding an end to sexual assault and violence against women and gender-diverse people.
This year's walk will take place tonight (May 4) starting at Barrie City Hall at 7 p.m.
Haily MacDonald, who is the acting executive director for Huronia Transition Homes, says the annual event has been happening in Barrie for more than 20 years, but this is its first time back in person since before the pandemic began.
“The pandemic was so difficult for some people and we know that when we talk about sexual violence and violence against women and gender-diverse folks, most of the time that violence is occurring in the home,” MacDonald said. “For the last three years, people were relegated to their homes when, for some, that was such an unsafe space.”
MacDonald said tonight's event is not only a way for people to get out of their homes in the evening, but also for a way that they can show they want an end violence.
“It's empowering but also intimidating. People may be nervous to be in a group like this, or to walk in the evening, but that's why we do it, together,” said MacDonald.
In the past, women with the tragic experience of violence have walked on the roads with police blocking traffic to make way, and supporters walking on the sidewalk. This year, the walk will happen on the sidewalks and supporters are being asked to walk behind.
“We are never going to end violence against women and gender-diverse folks without having cis men demonstrating their support and really challenging the groups that they’re in to not tolerate patriarchy and sexism,” said MacDonald.
The event starts at 7 p.m. at city hall, located at 70 Collier St. with speeches from guest speakers. It will make its way down Collier Street to Bayfield Street then toward Dunlop Street to Mulcaster Street and back to city hall.
