Eryn Costello – Junior Copy Editor 

On Nov. 13, the Bishop’s University community gathered for the 8th annual “Take Back the  Night” march, an event led by the Students’ Representative Council’s Sexual Culture  Committee (SCC). The global movement – with roots stretching back more than half a  century – aims to reclaim public space after dark and empower survivors of sexual and  gender-based violence. This year’s march drew an estimated 150 participants, making it one  of the SCC’s largest turnouts to date. 

Image courtesy of Grace Johnston

The evening began at Optimist Park shortly after 7 p.m., where speakers set the tone for the  event – these include a land acknowledgement from Mirana Iliza, SRC Vice-President, and  powerful speeches by student leaders Tessa Bradshaw, Jessie Graddon and Justin Belanger. 

Each touched on the importance of hope, community responsibility, and the ongoing work of  past SCC leaders. Senior Chair of the SCC, Olivia Woods, closed the speeches by reflecting  on the committee’s progress and the culture shift she has witnessed during her five years at  Bishop’s. 

“My time here has been full of pride for what we’ve accomplished,” Woods said. “But it’s  also shadowed with grief, knowing that people I love have felt unsafe in our community.” 

The SCC expanded this year’s event with clearer sound equipment and free hot chocolate,  snacks, hand warmers and printed sexual violence support resources. Red Bull also partnered  with the committee in providing drinks for participants. The march itself was escorted by  Sherbrooke police for safety, and moved through the streets of Lennoxville with students  chanting from handouts provided upon arrival before ending in the Quad around 8:20 p.m. 

Woods emphasized that the purpose of the event is both symbolic and practical. “By  attending, individuals are saying they stand with survivors and that sexual violence is not  tolerated in our community,” she explained. “Rape culture relies on silence. Events like this  remind us that these issues aren’t happening ‘elsewhere’ – they’re here, and our community  plays a role in ending them.” 

While most attendees were Bishop’s students, they were joined in great numbers by  university faculty and staff, as well as local residents. Athletic teams, both club and varsity, once again made up a strong portion of the crowd, a tradition Woods described as “so lovely  to see.” 

As the crowd dispersed, Woods said she hoped participants left feeling connected and  energized. “Everyone has a role to play in creating a safer campus,” she noted. “When people  show up – whether to march, to make a sign, or simply to walk alongside others – it reminds  us that change is something we build together.”