Citizens invited to Take Back the Night

Particpants at Take Back the Night 2015

Alternatives for Women, which offers a wide variety of confidential services for abused women in Prince Edward County, is hosting its annual Take Back the Night event Wednesday, Sept. 20 at the Picton Town Hall.

Take Back the Night is an international event with the goal of ending sexual, relationship and domestic violence in all forms. Hundreds of events are held in more than 30 countries annually and Prince Edward County has held this event for the past four years.

“The rallies are a way of raising awareness and creating a direct action against all forms sexual, relationship and domestic violence,” said Rahno Boutilier, Executive Director of Alternatives for Women. “We invite those who want to show their support in the struggle to end violence against women and who want to help bring attention to the very critical problem of violence against women here in our community to join us.

The event is to kick off with a free community meal from 5:30pm to 6:30pm with Food Not Bombs, during which time participants can make signs to be used in the march. Alternatives for Women will provide sign-making supplies.

The march will leave the Picton Town Hall at the old firehall at Ross and King streets at 7pm. People are also welcome to arrive with their own signs at 7pm to take part if they cannot arrive earlier.

Alternatives for Women provides services for hundreds of women each year, including counselling and safety planning and offers a transitional housing program. Currently, the agency is looking for a new home to better serve its clients.

“The need is great in our community to help women in need of protection and opportunities to begin new lives, and one of the challenges is having the resources and a space for the agency to provide the best services possible,” said Boutilier.

Take Back the Night event is also being promoted on Facebook. The agency’s Outreach Community Organizer, Christine Renaud, encourages everyone, “especially those on social media, to help spread the word about the community rally.

“We know this is a very caring community and we hope to have a record number of participants for Take Back the Night this year to help us end gender based violence.”