Many people will be walking down Franklin Avenue on Friday to protest sexual assault.
Waypoints is hosting ‘Take Back the Night’ at Jubilee Plaza, an event that multiple communities across Canada and other countries are also taking part in.
Participants will be walking from Jubilee Plaza to the Centre of Hope and back.
Waypoints Community and Corporate Relations Manager Jason Beck tells Mix News beforehand, they have multiple people prepared to speak about sexual violence.
“Typically there’s an ally that will speak, extremely powerful messages that they bring which kind of puts everything into perspective of why we’re here, why this matters, why we’re doing this.”
Despite many speaking up against sexual violence, many who’ve experienced abuse don’t reach out for help.
Janine Keagan, Waypoints Sexual Assault Program Manager, says too many times the victim is blamed rather than the perpetrator.
“In regards to survivors or when sexual assault or rape take place, the first thing a lot of us unfortunately think is what did the victim do, why were they out at that time, what were they wearing.”
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with the walk starting around 8 p.m.
People who are experiencing any form of violence can reach out to Waypoints.
LISTEN: On this edition of Fort McMurray Matters, we discuss @Waypointswb hosting Take Back the Night and this year’s @FMWBUnitedWay Community Campaign #ymm #rmwb https://t.co/QHIRdxxrlx
– MIX 103.7 News (@Mix1037FMNews) September 20, 2019