Take Back the Night march returning to Brandon

Next Thursday is the annual Take Back the Night march in downtown Brandon, with a route that is about one kilometre long, says an official from the Western Manitoba Women’s Centre.

But it’s not the distance that matters — it’s showing support for those who need it, said Jamie Brown, co-ordinator of the centre’s women and gender equality program.

“It’s for survivors, empowering and supporting them so they can walk safely at night, which is what the march is all about — being able to feel safe in those spaces,” Brown said.

“And it’s for folks like us who are advocates and allies. We need to be loud and not keep silent or turn a blind eye.”

Staff at Western Manitoba Women’s Centre are partnering with several other agencies and organizations for the march, including Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre and YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter.

The goal of the march is to raise awareness about gender-based violence and sexual violence against women, men and minority individuals, including those in the LGBTQ+ community.

“We’re doing it for folks in our marginalized communities, women, gender-diverse and those unhoused. All those folks who don’t feel safe,” Brown said.

The march is scheduled to begin Oct. 9 at Princess Park, with drumming and speeches at 6 p.m., followed by the march down Princess Avenue to Brandon University, where the crowd will be offered refreshments.

Take Back the Night is an international event that originated in the late 1970s to protest rape and other forms of sexual violence against women, with the goal of creating a society in which everyone can feel safe walking the streets after dark.

Marches have been held in Brandon for almost 15 years, usually in November during Family Violence Prevention Month.

Organizers changed the date to October, hoping the mild fall weather will attract more participants.

“Gender-based violence and sexual violence can be a very uncomfortable topic of conversation, but I think people know that it is happening,” Brown said.

“Maybe we haven’t talked about it enough in the past, but it’s time to start having those conversations — about how to reach out for support or asking how to support your friend or your family member going through this. We’ve got to start somewhere.”

Manitoba had the second-highest rates of police-reported intimate partner and family violence among Canadian provinces in 2022, according to Statistics Canada.

In that year, Manitoba’s intimate partner violence rate was 633 victims per 100,000 people, up from 476 in 2014. The province’s family violence rate increased to 585 in 2022 from 453 in 2014.

Worldwide, one in three women experience intimate partner sexual violence, and less than half of those assaults are reported, said Lois Ruston, executive director at the YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter.

“In Canada, a woman is murdered every other day, 187 women were murdered in 2024 as a result of femicide. Not good stats, but really important stats,” Ruston said.

“The fear is real, so that’s why events like these are important,” she said.

Last year, more than 580 men, women and children sought shelter from the YWCA Women’s Shelter.

“Gender-based violence is not only a women’s issue, but also involves men and certainly folks from the 2SLGBTQ community,” Ruston said.

“But I think this does shine the light on the fact that it is an ongoing, persistent and consistent concern for women,” she said.

“So during the walk, we’re raising awareness and kind of wrapping a safe blanket around people so that they feel safe and supported.”

Those who can’t make it out to the walk, but “need a caring person at the other end of the phone,” can call the shelter’s 24-7 toll-free crisis line at 1-877-977-0007, Ruston said.

Intimate partner violence has other victims, especially if children are involved, said Sandy Smith, program facilitator at Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre. It provides parenting education and other supports to help strengthen the bond between a parent and their child.

“It’s the kiddos in the homes. That cycle of abuse has a tendency of continuing if it’s not stopped,” Smith said.

“Women and other vulnerable people have the right to feel safe in our communities.”

Smith said that last year, she marched with her daughter and brought along their dog, a pug. Her dream is to fill the streets with as many people as possible.

Brandon Police Service will block off the route along Princess Avenue to allow the walkers safe passage.

“I love it,” said Smith.

“It’s a peaceful march and brings people together who have a vision of a safer, healthier and happier society.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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