Take Back the Night will return to Chatham on Sept. 19, with organizers calling the march and rally a vital response to rising reports of sexual assault across Ontario.
The event will run from 7 to 11 p.m. at the W.I.S.H. Centre and will bring together survivors, advocates and allies for what organizers describe as a night of solidarity, healing and resistance.
Take Back the Night is a global movement that began in the 1970s and has since become a cornerstone of advocacy for safe streets and public spaces. This will be the second time Chatham has hosted the event, following community calls to address the continued violence faced by women, girls and gender-diverse people.
“We’re seeing an alarming increase in reports of sexual assault, both locally and provincially,” said Linda Soulliere, executive director of the Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre. “But the numbers we see are only part of the picture—the majority of survivors still feel unsafe coming forward. Events like this are about reclaiming space, building community, and making it clear that we must be loud and unignorable.”
Statistics Canada data shows rates of sexual assault have climbed steadily in recent years, with women aged 15 to 24 facing the highest levels of reported victimization. Local agencies have also reported increased demand for counselling, emergency shelter and other support services.
“Now more than ever, it’s important that we show up—for survivors, for each other, and for the future of our community,” Soulliere said. “Gender-based violence impacts everyone, and a large community presence at events like this sends a clear message: we will not tolerate it.”
The march through downtown Chatham will be followed by a rally at the W.I.S.H. Centre. Organizers are encouraging men and male-identifying allies to take part, saying their presence is crucial in the fight against gender-based violence.
“We need everyone—especially men—to stand with us and help shift the culture. It’s not enough to say you’re against violence. We need people to show up,” Soulliere said.
The event is free and open to all members of the community.
