Tillsonburg hosts annual Take Back the Night to raise awareness of gender-based violence

Tillsonburg streets came alive with the Take Back the Night march. Kelly Spencer was one of the speakers during an informative evening. Sophie Foster, public education and fundraising coordinator for Ingamo Homes, says that violence against women is only going up and more needs to be done. (Alex Hunt Photo).

Alex Hunt, Post Contributor

Take back the Night march returned to Oxford County last Wednesday, calling attention to femicide, domestic violence, and the need for better-funded women’s shelters and prevention programs.

Sophie Foster, Public Education and Fundraising Coordinator for Ingamo Homes, hosted Take back the Night event last Wednesday, continuing the annual event that originated in the 1970s

“For the people who attended tonight, I want them to leave with a sense of community in general of people coming together and that nobody is alone. There are people that care about them and rallying behind them,” said Foster.

Currently, Oxford County has two women’s shelters. DASO (Domestic Abuse Services Oxford) operates as an emergency shelter with 17 beds and a 24-hour crisis line for those in immediate need. As well, Ingamo Homes provides second-stage housing and outreach services, offering women and children long-term support for up to two years while they work to get back on their feet.

“The 1970’s felt like a long time ago but unfortunately, we are facing a lot of the same issues and some new ones as well,” said Foster. “The number keeps rising and we can continue to experience not only physical violence, but we are also still seeing the numbers of femicide go up. I think it’s about one woman a week that’s murdered in Ontario alone and the number is not going down.”

More than 50 people gathered in downtown Tillsonburg for the event, marching through the streets with speeches, calls to action, and handmade posters advocating for change.

Foster says there needs to be more education on healthy relationships, emotional regulations and ways to cope with stress.

“We need prevention and better response as well as more funding for women shelters and neither of them have seen an increase in funding since I was born, which was the mind of the 90s, and we just can’t meet the demands.”

Take Back the Night is a global movement that began in the 1970s to raise awareness of gender-based violence. Communities worldwide hold marches, rallies, and events to empower survivors, promote safety, and advocate for prevention and support services