Community members are gathering for the Take Back the Night event on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. as a reclamation of being able to walk safely in the city.
“As a community, we should be able to freely walk amongst the community without fear or worry of harassment, sexual assault or crime,” said Penny Stavast, director of anti-violence programs at the Cariboo Chilcotin’s Canadian Mental Health Association branch (CMHA).
Take Back the Night protests have been occurring since the 1970s, with voices gathering and declaring an end to sexual violence. This year’s theme is shattering the silence and stopping the violence, whether sexual assault, sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment or relationship violence.
“Nobody’s exempt from it,” said Stavast, who noted the Interior has some of the highest levels of human trafficking, specifically in the Cariboo. Those at risk include billeted students who may seek shelter elsewhere with individuals who aren’t healthy to be around.
It’s likely within a friend group of five people, one has been sexually assaulted, said Stavast. The government of Canada reported only 20 per cent of sexual assaults happen from strangers, making the majority of sexual assaults from friends, family and acquaintances.
The Cariboo CMHA works with survivors of all ages, this year ranging from ages nine to 57, including four individuals in the community who have been trafficked, some of whom have been rehabilitated into new communities.
It’s not just a big city issue, said Stavast.
“It’s here in our community and people aren’t realizing it.”
Human trafficking is defined by there being an act, a means and a purpose. Acts include recruitment, transporting/transferring, harbouring or receipt of persons. Means include the use of force or a threat, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability or giving payment or benefits. The purpose is exploitation, including prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or similar practices, removal of organs or other forms of exploitation.
Self-reported rates of sexual assault remained consistent from 1999 to 2014 (21-22 incidents per 1,000 population), with sexual violence increasing during COVID-19, as reported by Statistics Canada. However, only an estimated five per cent of sexual assaults are reported to police.
While police involvement is encouraged for perpetrators to be held accountable, police do not have to be involved for victims to seek support from the Williams Lake Sexual Assault Centre.
The centre is trauma-informed and works with victims where they’re at, ensuring their emotional and physical safety are being met, said Stavast.
For Stavast, people gathering for Take Back the Night is about making people safe within their community.
“It’s not about the masses. It’s about the one person we may have an impact on.”
Typically, Take Back the Night occurs in September; however, Stavast said having the event in October is a great segway into Halloween when people are out walking.
The family-friendly event is to raise awareness of community safety and will include a police escort from Spirit Square at 6 p.m. to Boitanio Park. Once at the park, there will be food trucks and live music. Streets for All will also join the group.
Stavast reminded survivors that what happened to them is not their fault and support is available.
