We Took it Back

Last thursday, many women from Ottawa and Gatineau got together to take a stand against violence against women and reclaim the night as a safe space for all. It was wonderful to see women from so many different backgrounds united together for the important cause.

After the March, Women's Organizations in Ottawa welcomed all those present to City Hall to give information on their services. The Women's Event Network did a wonderful job in coordinating the event and offering great food and entertainment for all! The Slam Poetry/Spoken Word Artists and Musician were very inspiring and captivating.

The Ottawa RebELLEs were happy to help organize the event and see so much enthusiasm from young women. We hope to collaborate with them in the near future.

Although the March was vibrant, many of us asked ourselves, why weren't more women of Ottawa present?

CARLETON STUDENTS OUTRAGED BY LATEST SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CAMPUS

For Immediate Release

September 29, 2009

OTTAWA—Carleton University students and the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre are outraged by the latest known sexual assault on campus. Carleton University Campus Safety has released information regarding an assault that occurred near residence on September 25^th, 2009 in which a woman was “struck in the face and groped by an unknown male”. Posters have been put up around campus reporting the incident. The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre questions why the information describes a sexual assault but labels the incident as an “assault” only. “The information we have clearly speaks of a sexual assault and yet the University has labelled it otherwise. This isn’t an issue of semantics but of misleading information” says Julie Lalonde, coordinator of the Coalition.

The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre was formed in 2007 after a high-profile sexual assault on campus exposed the lack of adequate support services. After a three-year campaign for increased services, students at Carleton University are still waiting for a centre, for which over 80% of students voted in favour in a 2008 referendum. The campaign reached a fever pitch this past summer when the survivor of the high-profile sexual assault filed a lawsuit against the University. In its statement of defence, Carleton argued that the woman, "failed to take appropriate or any action for her own safety". Harsh criticism from students, alumni and advocates across the country prompted the University to settle with the plaintiff. However, a Sexual Assault Centre remains to be seen on campus and students continue to demand one.

“This latest assault is further evidence that sexual assault and sexual violence, particularly against women, continues to happen at Carleton and that what the University has done is not working” adds Lalonde. “The official acknowledgement of sexual assault remains taboo on campus and the use of the term ‘assault’ rather than ‘sexual assault’ demonstrates this. The labelling of incidences on campus is shrouded in politics. Unfortunately, we have a long way to go at Carleton.”

For all media inquiries, contact Julie Lalonde at 613-301-2697, jlalond7@connect.carleton.ca or the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com

Take Back the Night 2009 Ottawa Division

Take Back the Night is an annual event held around the world to raise awareness about violence against women and to reclaim the streets as safe for all. Take Back the Night celebrates women’s diversity and strength, and promotes a society in which the safety of women is guaranteed.

Each year more supporters participate in this event, bringing awareness of the need to end violence against women in our communities. According to Statistics Canada, half of Canadian women (51%) have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16 and one to two women are murdered by a current or former partner each week in Canada. This is a chance to publicly celebrate women’s solidarity; women will not be passive and accept the violence against them but will instead speak out and take action together for change

Please come out and show your support for our mothers, sisters, friends and loved ones.

Date: Thursday, 24 September 2009
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: The Women's Monument, Minto Park (Elgin and Gilmore), Ottawa