Take Back the Night marches through downtown Belleville

The annual Take Back the Night rally marched through Downtown Belleville on Thursday night.

People gathered in Market Square, to bring attention to and rally against intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women.

The night began at 6 p.m. with a rally, as survivors of violence and supporters arrived at Market Square for a brief ceremony. During this time, several survivors shared their stories, and demanded action from higher levels of government to end violence against women.

One of the speakers was Natalie O’Toole, community relations manager for the Three Oaks Foundation. She explained that sexual violence is on the rise in the area, and has been a long standing problem.

“Last year, we received 1000 crisis calls exactly, which are all women in crisis, looking to flee an abusive relationship,” said O’Toole. “So that’s 1000 women in the Hastings and Prince Edward County area experiencing abuse right now. And I think that number is a stark reality of what is happening in our community that maybe not a lot of people are aware of.”

 

This year’s rally comes after announced funding cuts by the federal liberal government to Women and Gender Equality, with a potential 80% cut to funding in the upcoming budget. The funding cuts prompted a protest on Parliament Hill, amid concerns that the reduced funding would end critical services for women in need. O’Toole said organizations that help survivors of gender-based violence are already underfunded, and that they are demanding government help because they can’t support everyone who needs it on their own.

“Intimate partner violence and sexual violence in Hastings and Prince Edward counties is incredibly prevalent, and the statistics continue to increase,” said O’Toole. “Our shelter, Three Oaks, is always full. We get many calls each day, crisis calls. Women are constantly asking for help.”

There were three calls to action for the government at the rally. First, to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. Second, to create an independent watchdog for violence against women, to ensure promises for action are kept regardless of who’s in power. The third demand is to prioritize early intervention and prevention for those at risk of becoming victims of violence.

After the rally, participants began a march through the downtown area. Walkers carried signs, chanted slogans, and marched up Front Street to Victoria Street, before heading down Pinnacle Street back to Market Square.

After the march, a candlelight vigil was held in Market Square, in honour of victims who had passed.