FAQs

We’ve included our most-asked questions below, but if you don’t find your answer here, feel free to contact us!

To see the answers to our frequently asked questions, click on the question and its answer will expand!

Take Back the Night 2024 will be held in person on September 19, 2024 at 6:00pm in Richmond Hill. Specific venue TBA. We’ll be meeting at the venue before we start to march at 6:45pm! For those who can’t join us in person this year, we’re planning to share a video recap after the event. Despite our hopes, we won’t be able to livestream TBTN this year. For information about TBTN and accessibility (including location details, parking, washrooms, what to expect, and more), see our accessibility page.

Right here! Our planned schedule is: 6:00pm — Gather at the park (specific location TBA), visit community resource booths 6:30pm — Welcome and kick-off from our emcees 6:45pm — March, chant, and take back the night! 7:30pm — Return to the bandshell for survivor speakers and more 8:45pm — Candlelight vigil 9:00pm — Goodnight!

More details regarding where we will be marching and how long we march for will be announced soon! Marchers using mobility aids or walking at a slower pace are encouraged to join near the front of the march to help us keep a slow, accessible pace!

The aim of our event in York Region is multi-faceted: to speak out against and bring awareness to gender-based and sexual violence; to reclaim safety in our communities — no matter the time of day; to create a safer and more supportive space for survivors to come together with fellow survivors and allies; and to be visible, invite everyone to join the movement, build solidarity, and speak out against injustice in our communities.

Take Back the Night (TBTN) is a global movement dating back to at least 1975 that protests gender-based violence and more specifically, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking.

We welcome everyone at Take Back the Night York Region! We invite community members of any and all (or no) genders. And yes, to be clear, that does include men — whether they are survivors or not.

As a committee, we have worked hard to be inclusive and representative of York Region, from our committee members to our event speakers and performers. We are always working towards building an anti-racist and anti-oppressive space and event. We unequivocally welcome feedback and critique on our approaches and when we’ve missed the mark.

Our committee is working hard to make this year’s TBTN as accessible as possible. See more accessibility details (including location details, parking, washrooms, what to expect, and more) on our accessibility page. If you have any accessibility concerns or questions, we would love to hear from you.

Our chants might change or be supplemented, but here are our usual chants: Whose body? My body. Whose business? My business. My body, my business. My body, it’s my business Respect Existence / Expect Resistance Claim our bodies / Claim our rights Take a stand / Take Back the Night!

Our event is planned by the Take Back the Night Planning Committee, made up of community organizations and volunteers.

Take Back the Night is not a core-funded initiative. All funds are raised! If you are interested in offering a contribution to TBTN, please know all donations over $20 in value can be issued a tax receipt.