This year's Take Back the Night walk in Bowmanville attracted about half the participants of last year. The chaotic few months following the May fire which destroyed the Bethesda House shelter's outreach offices have been a constant "catch up" time for staff, so organization and advertising were slower to get off the ground.
Still, between 40 and 50 children, women, and men walked through the streets of downtown Bowmanville, escorted by police and fire vehicles. Representatives from police forces spoke to the group before the walk and joined in.
When Take Back the Night began men weren't allowed to participate because the premise was and still is that women and children should be able to walk the streets of any community in safety at any time of the day.
As a physically big man I rarely feel fear when I am walking by myself. It doesn't occur to me when I'm on a nature trail that I should be anxious about the approaching man, nor do I worry much about groups of teen boys walking toward me when it is dark. This is not the case for my wife and daughters. As a parent I did worry about our girls walking the streets while away at school.
The day after Bowmanville's Take Back the Night walk a 25-year-old female student was attacked in broad daylight in Toronto. She was sexually assaulted, and while an innocent victim, she is just that, a victim who will probably never be the same. The police said that she had done everything right.
I walked in Bowmanville because of the example of Christ who valued children and women in a society that was patriarchal. An important aspect of my Christian faith is the equality of all human beings and their right to live without fear. Okay, it's also because my wife, Ruth, works for Bethesda House.
I'm sure that the numbers for the walk will be back up next year and perhaps you will be a participant in your community.
2 comments:
Although the numbers may have been low, many saw the walk. We sat in the car at the corner of Hwy 2 and Scugog waiting for the "parade" (8 year old's term) to pass. Questions were asked and a good discussion happened. Another discussion took place the next day with others who saw the walk. So although the numbers were low, the message got out. N
I know that whenever I hear about a woman who was assaulted sexually or physically, I feel a little shiver of fear. I know that any woman can be a victim, and I believe that we still live in a patriarchal society. Women are still seen by many as weak and vulnerable and to be protected.
I hope someday to be able to walk with others in an event like "Take Back the Night." It is a show of solidarity and strength, and I think I would feel empowered by such an event.
Post a Comment