This article discusses sexual assault and may be triggering for some readers. The Kingston Sexual Assault Centre’s 24-hour crisis and support phone line can be reached at 613-544-6424 / 1-877-544-6424. For on campus support, community members may email bjl7@queensu.ca. The Journal uses “survivor” to refer to those who have experienced sexual assault. We acknowledge this term is not universal.
As the sun set over Agnes Benidickson Field, students gathered to share stories of survival and solidarity, uniting in a march through campus to raise their voices against sexual violence.
Take Back the Night, an annual occurrence at Queen’s since the 1980s, occurred on Sept. 19 and is organized by the AMS Walkhome service. Survivors and allies shared stories that resonated with the crowd, while students held posters bearing messages like, “Sexual violence shouldn’t be part of the university experience,” along with other statements.
Students and community members from Sexual Assault Centre Kingston (SACK), Queen’s Feminist Collective, Queen’s Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO), along with others, gave speeches about sexual violence and domestic abuse, moving many in attendance in attendance to tears.
After the event, in solidarity, people began to line up and march up University Ave. and across Union St., holding their posters and reciting chants.
Leading the chants was AMS Commissioner of Social Issues (Internal), Jana Amer. She gave a speech on behalf of the AMS Vice-President (University Affairs) Ruth Osunde, who was originally set to speak but was unable to attend the event. Amer stressed while these weren’t her own words, they still resonated deeply with her.
“This night is a key part of consent week. For everyone here, whether you’re directly affected or stand in solidarity, I ask you to keep fighting. Keep pushing for a society where consent is not just the conversation, but a fundamental value woven into every part of our lives,” Amer said.
In an interview with The Journal, AMS Vice-President (Operations) Ayan Chowdhury spoke to the importance of the event.
“I think it’s really important to recognize the importance of the night and it was great to see everyone come out and be engaged,” Chowdhury said.
Ella Magee’s, Nurs ’24, nursing community project was to work at SACK which led her to come to the Take Back the Night event as part of Consent Awareness Week, she said in an interview with The Journal.
“Consent should always be talked about. There shouldn’t just be one week, it should be a daily thing,” Magee said. “It’s a topic I’m super passionate about. I think it’s often overlooked, which is really unfortunate.”
While Take Back the Night has concluded, Consent Awareness Week continues until the end of the week with a swing dance at Ban Righ Hall’s Fireside Lounge.
Tags
sexual violence, Take back the night, Walkhome
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