Local residents will take to the streets this week to raise awareness about sexual violence against women.
The Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre (CKSACC) will hold the annual Take Back the Night march in downtown Chatham on Friday.
The event honours the historic stand in the 1970s by those who first advocated for the essential right of women to walk alone at night without fear of being raped, harassed, or otherwise harmed.
CKSACC Executive Director Linda Soulliere said the march gives women a voice and a chance to reclaim the streets.
“It takes a whole community to stop the violence and women here are under siege,” she said. “Sexual assault in Chatham-Kent has gone up year over year and only 10 per cent of any assaults are actually reported, so we need to bring attention to this issue.”
Those participating in the event will march from the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre to the W.I.S.H. Centre beginning at 7 p.m. A celebration will then be held at 8 p.m., which will include food, live music, speakers, prizes and more.
The event is free for all ages to participate.