This year's Take Back the Night Cambridge 2022 will take place on Thursday. The annual event invites everyone to unite and reclaim the night, to be part of the solution in ending sexual violence.
It is estimated that one in three women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Indigenous women, women of colour, women with disabilities and gender-diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals experience the highest rates of sexual violence.
Take Back the Night is an opportunity to celebrate, support and recognize survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. It connects community with people and organizations working to end gender-based violence and who can support survivors in their healing.
Hosted by the W, a community space operated by YWCA Cambridge, Take Back the Night is a community-based event to protest the fear that women and trans people have of walking the streets at night safely.
“Take Back the Night, for us, is a powerful opportunity to recognize survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, to celebrate them and to support them,” said Kate Taylor, director of Programs at the YWCA Cambridge.
“This year, more than ever, since this is our first event back in person since the pandemic, it is really an opportunity to connect with the community and with organizations and folks who can support them in ending gender-based violence. For us, this is the big part.”
On Sept. 15, participants will gather at The W at 20 Dickson St. in Cambridge for the rally and march.
All genders are welcome to take part in the youth and family-friendly event.
Take Back the Night Cambridge 2022 schedule:
- 6 p.m. - The W and community organization booths are open to the community
- 6:30 p.m. - Sign making and sidewalk chalking begins
- 7 p.m. - Youth-led rally begins
- 7:30 p.m. - March in downtown Cambridge begins
Organizers will continue to monitor COVID-19 regulations and guidelines and encourage participants to mask and practice social distancing. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the event.
“We are gently easing in this year,” Taylor said.
“Its about that community connection, welcoming people back to our space, getting that awareness out there again and letting people know that we are still here.”
For over 65 years, YWCA Cambridge has been a leader on issues that impact women and girls in the community.
The W, operated through YWCA Cambridge is home to the pre-employment program, and youth programs for cis and trans girls, non-binary and two-spirit youth.
Programs are geared toward the needs of participants, with overarching themes such as health and wellness, bodily integrity, social activism, empowerment, STEM learning and pre-employment and mentoring.
This year’s rally and march will be youth led according to Taylor.
“Take Back the Night is youth and family friendly. We have youth participation as we have a lot of youth programming so this is really going to be led by them. They get to have input and say over community organizations that should be included,” Taylor said.
“This night is about reclaiming the streets. We have a right to live free from violence so that is what Take Back the Night is really about this year and trying to bring people together, to rally and march together in resistance.”
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