Marchers ‘Take Back the Night’ during YWCA’s Week Without Violence

By Lethbridge Herald on October 21, 2022.

Marchers walk up 3 Ave. as they make their way through the downtown core during the Take Back the Night rally Friday evening as part of the YWCA’s Week Without Violence. Herald photo by Ian Martens

Ry Clarke – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

YWCA Lethbridge and District concluded its Week Without Violence on Friday with a Take Back the Night Violence Prevention Walk. Residents lending their support towards the cause showed up at city hall to join with members of the YWCA and walk with them around downtown and then to their building on 6 Ave and 8 St.

“Take Back the Night started in the 1960s with protests advocating for the safety of women as they walk alone,” said Jill Young Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA Lethbridge. “This has been something that the YWCA is very proud to be a supporter of and advocate for not only YWCA and women and children that we service in our shelter, but for all women and anyone that is experiencing violence and sexual violence.” 

Each week during the third week of October, Canadians mark the YWCA’s Week Without Violence with week-long series in the community promoting events that work towards diverse approaches to creating a violence-free world. 

“We had a ton of people participate in the Chalk Me Up awareness event,” said Cat Champagne, External Relations Director for YWCA. “Bootsma Bakery sold out almost every day of their ‘Cookies for a Cause’. It was a huge success. We had tons of people get involved and people sharing our messages and posters. It was really good to see the community support us.”

YWCA Lethbridge worked around its theme of ‘Forget Me Not’, which focused on spreading awareness for all, hoping to bring mindfulness to groups that sometimes get forgotten when it comes to talking about violence and abuse.

“We want to take the opportunity as we do our Week Without Violence and Take Back the Night march that we do not forget,” said Young. “We want to make sure that we have a voice for even those that may get forgotten. That was our theme and our feature for this year and we want to make sure that those that were forgotten are not.”

Hoping to end the abuse and violence that goes on in the world, the YWCA of Lethbridge was thankful to those showing their support Friday evening and happy to walk in support with those in attendance. 

“I hope it sparks everyone’s interest in November being Family Violence Prevention Month,” said Campagne. “That’s an Alberta wide initiative and we are going to have a ton of stuff going on for that. Knowing that support is here and knowing that the YWCA is here as well helps. There are all kinds of different types of abuse, so helping spread awareness, even when its not specific to your home, helps with all demographics to deal with abuse.”