5 QUESTIONS WITH CHRISTIANE PIETTE, VOLUNTEER ORGANIZER FOR “TAKE BACK THE NIGHT”

To be held Virtually on September 17th.

1- What is your event and how did it come about? Our community has been hosting Take Back the Night since 2012. Originally, it was a shared project between many non-profits who rally together to support survivors of sexual, domestic and relationship violence. However, since 2018, the CEIU Local 621’s women committee, which is the union for Service Canada employees, has stepped in to host this rally and march. We have been supported by those same non-profits, such as Baldwin House, Maison Interlude, and Sexual Assault Support Services. We are not the originators of this demonstration against violence, as Take Back the Night events started in the 1960s. With time, it became more widespread and looks different across the world. The mission has always been to end sexual, domestic and relationship violence. This year, due to the pandemic, we are taking our event virtually for the first time through Zoom and by having people hit the streets in small social bubbles instead of a large rally.

2- What is your event in support of and does it reoccur every year? Take Back the Night Supports the end of sexual, domestic and relationship violence. It is a worldwide event, typically held in September. Our event has been held in SD&G annually since 2012, and this year, it will be held virtually on September 17th, 2020, at 6pm. In the past we have had representatives from our union CEIU Local 621 in attendance, as well as ASAP, SASS, Diversity Cornwall, and many others.

3- How does your event help make this community a better place Our goal is to show our community that we stand together against these forms of violence. We provide information and help people see that they are not alone. Unfortunately, 1 in 3 women will experience sexual violence, and 1 in 6 men, and less than 50% of them will report it. We are not to be blamed for the violence we experience.

4- What is unique about your event? We are not raising funds for a cause… We are raising awareness that those survivors of violence are not alone. If you feel moved to donate to a local group, all the better! However, our goal is to share information and show support for survivors of violence.

5- How can people participate or help make this event a success? Participation is through zoom this year! Please join us by emailing to reserve a spot at cornwall.tbtn@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook by searching for the event “Take Back the Night”. We are also encouraging participants to walk with the social bubble in support of the event that night. This year we are inviting the community to show their support through the hashtag #takebackthenight2020 and by actively donating to the non-profit of their choice. Most organizations are happy to accept your time, your donations, and your monetary support.