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Walking with purpose

Over a dozen local women were taking back the night, during a walk to raise awareness for sexual assault.
A group of women took to the streets in the area’s first Take Back the Night walk.
A group of women took to the streets in the area’s first Take Back the Night walk.

Over a dozen local women were taking back the night, during a walk to raise awareness for sexual assault.

The idea itself is nothing new, but for Bonnyville, it was the first time a local group has participated in Take Back the Night on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre hosted the walk to raise awareness about sexual violence, with posters reminding everyone “The way I dress is not a yes.”

The group started their two-kilometre trek from the Bonnyville Centennial Centre, after making posters that clearly stated what their walk was all about.

Tanja Vasalic kick-started the initiative locally, after participating in some similar walks in the nation's capital.

Vasalic is a Cold Lake resident who works as a social service worker, and is passionate about putting an end to sexual violence.

“Take Back the Night is an international organization. I have participated myself in the event in Ottawa. I thought it was a good idea to bring it into smaller communities, to raise awareness for sexual assault victims and the overall idea of sexual harassment,” she said.

Gaby Rivard, education coordinator at the Dragonfly Centre, was excited to jump on board when Vasalic pitched the idea of hosting the walk locally.

She said, “Our centre works with victims of sexual violence. We want to bring awareness, let them know they have support here, and that they're not alone.”

The Dragonfly has seen a steady increase each year in their number of clientele.

“We're just starting to see more people coming forward and wanting to talk about it. We just want to bring that awareness out and into the community so people feel safe talking about, and feel like they are supported within their community,” chimed in Mikaela Moulton, clinical supervisor of the Dragonfly Centre.

Moulton believes the reason so many people are coming forward, is because they are starting to feel more safe and comfortable about talking about sexual violence.

“It's starting to become a topic that is talked about more, and we are wanting to increase that even further. We want to take the taboo away from it,” she continued.

The group hoped to shatter the silence of men and women experiencing sexual violence, and that by walking the streets, they have let at least one person know they're not alone.

By working with individuals who have experienced sexual violence, Rivard has seen first-hand how it has impacted victims. Their ultimate goal is to put an end to the problem.

“We want to create a community free from sexual violence,” Rivard expressed.

The walk is also a way for local women to literally take back the night.

Vasalic explained that in some communities, women are afraid to walk the streets after dark, fearing they will be assaulted or harassed.

This walk, demonstrates that they have had enough, and are ready to stand up for themselves and their right to feel safe.

“The exposure is great. It's stopping the violence and preventing that from happening again through educating the public that it is happening and women need to be heard,” added Vasalic.

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