River Valley Caring Communities Committee urges residents to join them for annual event to raise awareness about rising intimate partner violence in the area
Upper Valley residents will strive to raise awareness about intimate partner violence by participating in the 15th annual Take Back The Night walk on Friday, Sept. 20, in Woodstock.
The River Valley Caring Community Committee will host the annual event as the numbers of domestic and sexual violence, unfortunately, continue to rise.
As per tradition, the walk will begin at the main entrance of NBCC Woodstock at 7 p.m., where speakers address attendees before walking to the Woodstock courthouse and back.
Organizers remind everyone that those who cannot participate in the walk are encouraged to join the event at NBCC Woodstock to hear the speakers and enjoy light refreshments.
Sarah Sherman, founder of the “We’re Here For You Canada” project, which provides support and comfort to sexual and domestic assault victims, urges residents to join the walk.
“We have invited community groups, politicians, and the public,” she said. “We want this walk to show the community support for all of us to help have safe streets,”
Manon Albert, chair of the River Valley Caring Communities Committee and long-time leader of the walk, invites community leaders, politicians, and the public to attend the critical event on behalf of the committee.
Albert explained the TBTN marches are held globally to raise awareness of all forms of violence against women and to educate young women and men about consent.
“This march peacefully demonstrates that we, as a community, will no longer tolerate sexual violence,” she said. “With your support we can display a commitment to members of our community impacted by sexual violence.”
Albert noted the River Valley region is currently experiencing an increase in sexual violence cases.
“Consider for a moment, this number only captures the reported cases,” she said. “We can make a difference as a community by joining forces. We are stronger by numbers.”
Recent crime reports issued by the Woodstock Police Force confirm a troubling increase in intimate partner violence (IPV).
When she addressed participants at the 2023 Take Back The Night march, Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones noted last year that Woodstock police reported a 47 per cent increase in IPV.
During recent open houses concerning the planned expansion of the Woodstock Police Force, Jones and former WPF Chief Gary Forward confirmed IPV crimes remain alarmingly high.
Both Forward and his replacement, former Deputy Chief Mark Bennett, expressed concern about the high numbers.
Statistics indicate the Woodstock Police Force alone responds to an average of one such case daily.
Last week, the Woodstock Police Force announced the appointment of Cst. Abby Derrah as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Investigator and Coordinator.
In her role, Cst. Derrah will address the needs of victims of Intimate Partner Violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.
Albert, Sherman, RCCC committee members, and others have spent years trying to raise awareness of the threats too many women face in their community and worldwide.
“RVCC is an active committee working together as service providers and community members to raise awareness about domestic and intimate partner violence as well as sexual violence,” Albert said.
Anyone seeking more information about Take Back The Night can contact the committee or Valley Outreach at valleyoutreach@nb.aibn.com.
Sherman also urges area residents to learn more about We’re Here For You Canada, as it supports women and children who were victims of sexual and domestic abuse.
She noted the program is now a CRA-recognized charity. It is sponsoring its second annual comedy fundraiser on Nov. 30 at the Fredericton Inn.
For more information, phone 506-425-2579 or email werehereforyounb@gmail.com.
In late 2021, Sherman, a resident of Lakeland Ridges, established We’re Here For You to work with emergency rooms and forensic nurse examiners to provide comfort to abuse victims at a low point in their lives.
The organization provides “comfort kits,” containing toiletries and items for immediate personal care, new clothing, gift cards for fuel, meals, food, and more to emergency rooms, and nurse examiners for distribution to victims seeking their care.
