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.
Chants for safety and justice echoed through downtown as more than 100 people protested against gender-based violence.
Kingston marked the annual Take Back the Night protest on Sept. 18, joining 21 other communities across Ontario in calling for an end to gender-based violence. The event, held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., drew more than 100 participants. The event was organized in collaboration with Walkhome, Sexual Assault Kingston Centre Kingston (SAC), Kingston Interval House, the City of Kingston and more local advocacy groups.
This year’s Take Back the Night began in City Park with resource booths, sign- and bracelet-making, and a speaker series amplifying survivor voices, before culminating in a march through the downtown core. The march ended on Clergy Street, continuing an annual tradition dating back to the 1980s that raises awareness about sexual violence and reclaims public spaces for survivors.
Walkhome Head Manager Niki Ehsan explained in an interview with The Journal that organizers worked with the city to secure permits for the off-campus march, noting the move was intended to make the event accessible beyond the university.
“We chose to move the event off campus this year, which was a little bit of a challenge, but we wanted to make sure that it was accessible, not just to students, but also to the Kingstonians, the community members outside of Queen’s,” she said.
Ehsan also laid out the hopes and intentions behind this year’s event. She highlighted a particular section of the event where survivors were allowed to share their stories either by speech, song or poem. She emphasized the importance of allowing different creative outlets that were utilized to empower survivors and protestors.
“We threw around some words […] do we want it to be emotional and sad, or do we want it to be angsty and ragey, and we really decided that we wanted that angst and rage to be channelled in this event,” Ehsan said.
Anishinaabe woman Lisa Cadue reinforced the event’s message of reclaiming power with two drum songs of the “Strong Woman song” and the “Water song.” Following her drum songs, she delivered teary-eyed remarks telling the crowd, “Tonight is about taking back our power […] we are one and we are equal.”
After the speeches, protestors began to roll out with chants, including “hey ho the patriarchy has to go” and “We believe survivors.” Signs, noise sticks, and more were provided in an effort to ensure that the Kingston community felt their presence.
The Journal also spoke with several organizations involved in planning the event or hosting booths. Brooke Phillips, a representative of Kingston Interval House, said the organization’s participation reflects its long-standing commitment to supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
“We’re here in solidarity with all of the other organizations that are supporting women to literally take back the night,” Phillips said.
The evening concluded back at City Park, where Walkhome offered safe walks home, marking the end of Kingston’s Take Back the Night event.
Tags
sexual violence, Take back the night, Walkhome
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