Quesnel's Take Back the Night march Friday (Sept. 20) saw women speaking about their experiences with violence and support was shared for victims of violence. Dozens of people, attended the event created to raise awareness for violence women face.
"It's a time for us to reflect and remember and be with the families who have lost their loved ones in our community," said Maureen Trotter who is part of the Women's Resource Centre collective. "And also to think about the ways in which things need to change."
The event was held at the Women's Memorial Monument, which names women who have been victims of violence in Quesnel. It was noted that names need to be added, but the monument has no more room for them. Rocks surrounded it, painted with the names of victims.
Several people shared their stories of loss and violence. Some discussed losing loved ones and the way it has changed their lives, some shared their own personal experiences of violence.
One woman shared that she faced domestic abuse in what she called a minor way. She said she threw up because of how nervous she was reporting it and couldn't imagine the fear people who face it severely and frequently feel. She shared that after that a coworker was facing abuse and she helped connect her to the Amata Transition House, which provides shelter to women and children who are at risk in Quesnel.
One of the things that was acknowledged at the event was the high rate of violence faced by Indigenous women and girls. A Stats Canada report says 63 per cent of Indigenous women have faced violence in their lifetime. That number for non-Indigenous women from that same report is 45 per cent.
Quesnel's Women's Resource Centre works to help women who are struggling with a variety of situations, including facing violence. One of their roles is to help connect women to services they may need to access and support them through things like legal processes.
