By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre and Thrive: Northumberland Coalition to End Violence invite members of the community to rise up, speak out and take a stand against sexual violence at the annual Take Back The Night in Cobourg on Thursday evening.
Community gatherings and candlelight walks of this nature are taking place in Peterborough, Lindsay and Haliburton at the same time as the one in Cobourg, all welcoming survivors of sexual violence and harassment (along with their supporters and allies) to join in solidarity in the wake of such contemporary issues as sexual assault, online luring and sexual harassment, changes to campus policies on sexual violence and harassment, #MeToo and recent high-profile sexual assault trials.
Your hosts are two local organizations working in this field in challenging times.
The Thrive Northumberland coalition includes more than 20 community agencies dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence for county residents, who also make up the regional Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee that is dedicated to public education and awareness, research and service co-ordination. Coalition representatives also provide immediate under-one-roof support to women through the Thrive Northumberland Drop In Centre, a walk-in service operating on Mondays from 9 a.m. To noon located inside the Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention at 40 Swayne St. in Cobourg.
The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting those affected by sexual violence, offering services in Peterborough such as individual counselling, group counselling and workshops, peer supports, public education and professional training. In its communities, including Northumberland, they work with local centres to provide responsive healing supports and public-education events.
It is the hope of Take Back The Night organizers that the act of reclaiming spaces after dark on Sept. 19 will unite participants in building a more healing and inclusive community.
This free event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday on the east side of Victoria Park at the Gathering Place monument on Church Street. The program calls for a rally with speeches, performances, and spoken-word poetry, followed by the Light Your Way solidarity walk at 7:30 p.m.
Participants are invited to come a half-hour early for pre-rally poster-making (supplies provided).
For more information, visit Take Back the Night 2019 – Cobourg
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
