Take back the night

Fri, Aug 12th 2011, 09:44 AM

Every man, woman and child who cares enough to take a stance against violence in the streets and in homes is being encouraged to make a powerful statement by joining the Crisis Centre in a march and speak-out against violence in the streets and in homes.

In an effort dubbed "Take back the night," on Saturday, August 13, thousands of people are expected to march through the streets to demonstrate that everyone deserves a life free from violence as it is everyone's right and what everyone should want.  "Irish philosopher Edmund Burke has said all that has to happen for evil to flourish and prosper is that good people do nothing, and that's what this march coming up on Saturday is all about," says psychologist Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson.  "We are all concerned about the violence in our country and that people are feeling powerless and helpless and wringing their hands saying: 'What can we do?  What should we do?' And this march is our response to that."

People are being called to action on Saturday. They are asked to assemble at Arawak Cay for the march which starts at 6:30 p.m. heading up West Bay Street, down Nassau Street through portions of Bain and Grants Town to East Hill Street, ending at Rawson Square where a speak out will take place to give voice to victims of violence.  Victims are encouraged to submit their stories beforehand at the Crisis Centre at their number 328-0922 or at e-mailbahamascrisiscentre@yahoo.com or tbtnbahamas@gmail.com.

Victim submissions are to be read by volunteers during the "speak out" to allow anonymity, but at the same time allow the victims stories to get out.  Supporters will also be able to take a turn on the microphone to share their support to victims.  Showing support for people who otherwise feel invisible will be the key word for the "speak out."  The night will conclude with a candlelight vigil in respect to those who were unfortunate not to have survived violence.

"The high levels of sexual and domestic violence have long been a concern for us, and in dealing with victims we see the severity, the pain, the desperation, the abandonment, the feelings that nobody cares about what has happened to them," said Dr. Dean-Patterson.  "We want to give voices to that pain, to that hurt, to that abandonment that so many victims feel.  We're answering persons who ask what can we do, and to victims who say people don't care.  We're answering on Saturday with a loud we do care, and we're not going to be silent anymore.  We are going to make noise.  We are going to stand up."

Dr. Dean-Patterson says taking back the night will be about empowerment and hope.  And that they want to give people who have experienced violence an opportunity to talk about their experience and how they felt, but also make a powerful statement by walking through the streets at night to show that they are not afraid.  The psychologist says they refuse to let a small group of thugs or people with evil intentions who have no care or concern for anybody, run over and take over the country.

Looking at the country's statistics, Dr. Dean-Patterson said in 1967 there were 13 murders, six attempted murders, 58 serious woundings and 58 rapes.  Thirty years later in 2007, 37 murders were recorded, seven attempted murders, 77 serious woundings, 200 rapes of adult women and 255 children under 16 in that one year.  In 2000 she said the prison population's sex offenders were listed at 129.  But there were reports of over 3,000 reports of women and children sexually assaulted.

"What that means is that persons rape with impunity.  There are no consequences for sexual assault," said Dr. Dean-Patterson.  "Persons who experienced this -- women who wake up and see a man standing over their bed who then proceeds to rape them, I can't find words to express how they feel, and what they go through, so it's so important that people come out with us on Saturday and march."

Tomorrow evening's take back the night march isn't the first time such event was held in the country, but it has been a few years since the last one was held and Crisis Centre volunteer Chauntez Wilson says there's no better time to do it than now, especially with the current level of violence.  As people march, Wilson wants people to remember that violence isn't always visible and happens inside people's homes in the dark of night as well.
 

JOIN THE MARCH

WHEN: Saturday, August 13
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
ROUTE: Arawak Cay to Nassau Street, Market Street via Polhemus and Scott Streets, East Street, Rawson Square.  Speak out and open microphone at Rawson Square at the end of the march at 8:30 p.m.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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