Annual march ‘takes back night’ in Kelowna

KELOWNA, B.C. About 200 women, men and children took to downtown Kelowna streets Thursday night for the annual Elizabeth Fry Society, Take Back The Night rally.

Organizers are highlighting increasing domestic violence rates in the Okanagan city and issues faced by young women, especially at school.

“I want agencies, schools, universities to be looking out for safety, which I know they do but I think there are pieces that are missing around safety for our young women who are particularly at risk in adolescent and young adult years,” Kelowna Elizabeth Fry Society Executive Director Michelle Novakowski said.

Those who joined the march through downtown Kelowna said streets don’t feel safe enough.

“We have power, we’re taking the streets back and you can’t keep us hostage,” Treina Siemens said before she joined the rally. “I’m grateful that I grabbed my courage and came down here tonight because I don’t normally come downtown.”

Volunteers praise the programs offered by Elizabeth Fry that help all victims.

“Childhood sexual abuse is huge so that affects a person all through their life; how they react to others in school,” volunteer Debbie Roberts said. “When they become an adult they get into a lot of bad relationships, that stems to domestic violence or alcohol abuse or drug abuse.”