The theme of Fredericton’s Take Back the Night March this year is “Believe her.” Women and children are welcome to participate in the Take Back the Night March against sexual violence. Men are welcome to join the opening and closing ceremonies, and to provide support from the sidelines. The March is held at night to symbolize the darkness, isolation, silence and invisibility of violence against women and children. The March is limited to women and children to demonstrate the unity and solidarity of women working toward a common goal of breaking the silence of violence against women and demanding that violence against women and children be eradicated. The March will start with a gathering open to all at Fredericton City Hall at 8:00pm on Friday, Septembrer 21st.
The Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, the organizer of Take Back the Night, is encouraging people to upload photos of themselves with the “start by believing” speech bubble to show your support.
Start by Believing is a public awareness campaign designed to change the way we respond to rape and sexual assault in our communities. According to the campaign, “There is no shame when your loved one dies. When your car is stolen. When you’re diagnosed with cancer. Friends and loved ones gather around you for support. They don’t blame you for ‘bringing it on yourself.’ It should be the same with sexual violence. But all too often, survivors who have the courage to tell someone what happened are blamed for bringing it on themselves. This needs to change.”
Interested in volunteering with the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre? They are recruiting now for volunteers to help with their 24 hour crisis line, public education and workshops, and many other great programs. Go to www.fsacc.ca for the application package. Get your application into them by September 21st.
