Women march to take back the night in St. John's

Dozens of women marched through the streets of downtown St. John's Friday night in the annual Take Back the Night March.

The event aims to raise awareness of violence against women. Organizers said about half of the women in this province will be victims of some form of violence in their lifetime.

Participants held up signs and chanted as they wove their way through downtown, making their way to City Hall. Upon arrival, marchers were greeted by applause from about two dozen men.

"It's a beautiful experience, it makes me tear up because there was a time when we marched and there were no men, you know? We'd come down here and we'd see one or two men," said Barbie Wadman who helped organize the march.

She said the fact that men welcomed marchers made the night extra special.

Wadman added that she was encouraged to see the number of people who came out, and participated in this year's event.

"Of course the women have come every year, and unlike a lot of places in Canada where the take back the night march is declining here it's just growing."

Friday night violence

Meanwhile, Friday night in St. John's the Royal Newfoundland Constabular reported two incidents of violence involving women as the victim.

In one case, a 44-year old man was arrested for assaulting a woman from a domestic disturbance in the west end of St. John's. The man was also charged with assault with a weapon , pointing a firearm and uttering threats.

The other incident involved a 24-year old man assaulting a woman on George Street.