Take Back the Night is an international rally and march that is organized in local communities with the purpose of unifying women, men, and children in an awareness of violence against women, children and families. The event is a collaboration of community and other interested persons who are ready to take a stand against violence and make our communities safe for everyone.
History
The first Take Back the Night event began in England in 1877 as a women only protest against the violence and fear women encountered walking the streets at night. Based upon this event a similar event was organized in Germany in 1973 as a response to a series of sexual assaults, rapes and murders. Five years later the first U.S. Take Back The Night March was held in San Francisco; more than 5000 women from 30 states participated.
Since that time, Take Back The Night marches are held internationally in all parts of the world. The message is the same throughout; women are not safe from male violence. Incidents of rape and sexual assault have not decreased. The Take Back The Night March is a way for women to come together in a collective voice and demand our rights for freedom of movement during the night without fear and without male escorts. Men can support the march by walking on the sidewalk distributing flyers, and offering positive encouragement to the marchers.
Marchers call attention to the issue of violence against women. Although the march emphasizes that violence against women occurs at all times, we are particularly concerned about violence at night.
Women are often told to be extra careful and take precautions when going out at night. In some parts of the world, even today, women are not allowed out at night. So when women struggle for freedom, we must start at the beginning by fighting for freedom of movement, which we have not had and do not now have. We must recognize that freedom of movement is a precondition for anything else. It comes before freedom of speech in importance because without it freedom of speech cannot in fact exist.
There is no correct way to organize a Take Back the Night March and rally. Organizers must decide for themselves what is most effective and empowering for their community. Some events are loud and noisy with chanting and singing, while others are carried out solemnly by candlelight. Many organizers have included a speak-out at their events to give survivors the opportunity to express themselves.
Why do women continue to march year after year?
Fear of crime
- Women are much more likely than men to feel worried or unsafe about their personal security. For instance, 42% of women aged 15 and over reported they felt unsafe walking alone in their neighborhood after dark, over four times the figure for men (10%).
Women are much more likely than men to feel worried or unsafe about their personal security. For instance, 42% of women aged 15 and over reported they felt unsafe walking alone in their neighborhood after dark, over four times the figure for men (10%).
Many women also feel worried when they are alone at home at night. 37% of women aged 15 and over reported feeling very or somewhat worried when they were alone in their homes in the evening or at night, three times the figure for men (12%).
Young women are the most likely to be worried when home alone in the evening or at night. 42% of women aged 15-24, compared with 39% of those aged 25-44, 37% of those aged 45-64, and 27% of senior women reported that they worried when they were alone in their homes in the evening or at night.
Crime prevention measures
Many women have begun to take special measures to protect themselves from crime:
- 36% of women aged 15 and over reported that they either modified their activities or routines or began to avoid certain places specifically to protect themselves from crime
- 22% installed security devices such as new locks or burglar alarms
- 5% changed their telephone number
- 4% obtained a dog
- 4% took a self-defense course
As well, women were generally more likely than men to have adopted these behaviors to protect themselves. In addition, many women routinely take measures to protect themselves from crime. For instance:
- 68% of women reported that they routinely locked their doors when alone
- 58% planned their route for reasons of safety
- 58% checked the back seat of their parked car before getting in
- 24% stayed at home at night
- 17% carried some kind of weapon
Women’s Safety Project highlights
The following information is based on 420 in-depth interviews with women between the ages of 18 and 64.
Sexual abuse of women age 16 and over:
- 51% of women have been the victim of attempted rape.
- 40% reported at least one experience of rape.
- Two out of three women have experienced what is legally recognized to be sexual assault.
- 81% of sexual assault cases at the level of rape or attempted rape reported by women were perpetrated by men who were known to the women.
Sexual abuse of girls (age 16 and under):
- More than one half (54%) of the women had experienced some form of unwanted or intrusive sexual experience before reaching the age of 16.
- 24% of the cases of sexual abuse were at the level of forced or attempted forced sexual intercourse.
- 17% of women reported at least one experience of incest before age 16.
- 34% were abused by a non-relative before 16.
- 43% reported at least one experience of incest and/or extra familial sexual abuse before age 16.
- 96% of the perpetrators of child sexual abuse were men
These statistics were taken from:
- Executive Summary, The Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women 1993
- Women in Canada — A Statistical Report, Third Edition 1993
Please click on the link below to download an information sheet for Take Back the Night.
Please click on one of the links below to download community ideas for Take Back the Night.