Women have been participating in Take Back the Night, a rally to unify and liberate women and ensure feelings of safety, for over 100 years.

Begun in England in 1877, Take Back the Night started as a protest against the fears that women experienced when walking the streets at night. The rally spread across the world and in 1976 San Francisco held the first rally in the United States against sexual assault. The rally has taken on many forms from chants to silent vigils, but the overall theme of women united has remained an enduring constant

“I was able to take my daughter to Take Back the Night when she was young and expose her to the issue of violence. She learned that she could fight back,” said Debbie McQuery, former president of the Take Back the Night board of directors.

Domestic violence is more common than most people realize. Wilmington’s Domestic Violence Shelter notes that at some point in life an intimate partner will abuse one out of every two women. Most of those women will not report the crime or even discuss it with anyone. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the U.S. and is more common than automobile accidents, muggings and cancer deaths combined.

Wilmington’s Domestic Violence Shelter offers shelter, counseling, and support groups to victims of violence. Last year alone, they assisted 818 women, 222 children and 15 men.

“The program is outstanding,” Mary Duke, a Crisis Line Operator said. “The Crisis Line offers shelter and support to those with immediate needs.”

A Take Back the Night Web site notes the FBI estimates that every six minutes a woman is raped and every nine seconds a women is abused by a spouse or lover. Victims’ ages range from four months to 92 years. The Domestic Violence Shelter emphasizes that when these acts occur, they are considered to be crimes; the acts are never the victim’s fault.”As a woman, Take Back the Night affected me because it was empowering and unifying,” Darcey Tinga, a freshman at Meridith College, said.

Take Back the Night will be held in Wilmington Oct. 4. The group will assemble at 7:30 p.m. for a silent march in Riverfront Park across from the Battleship. The rally, to be located in front of City Hall, will follow the march at 8 p.m The rally will feature special guest speakers, music and a candlelight ceremony to remember those women who have been killed by domestic violence. For more information about Take Back the Night please call 343-0703.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wear a purple ribbon to help fight violence against women and their children.