An event in Yarmouth next month will promote safety and justice for women.
The ‘Rae’s Awareness Walk,’ takes place at the Rodd Grand Hotel on April 8th.
The walk is in memory of Rehtaeh Parsons, and was first started by her mother Leah in Halifax.
Yarmouth is joining the provincial program this year.
One of the local organizers is nurse practitioner Terrilee O’Connell.
She says the recent acquittal of a Halifax taxi driver in a sexual assault case made her want to get involved.
“My friend said she had been thinking about organizing the walk in Yarmouth, she asked if I would be interested and I said sure, count me in. It’s a great time to do it.”
O’Connell and co-organizer Duana d’Entremont are nurse practitioners.
O’Connell says they see first hand the effects of sexual assault on patients.
“We’ve both had to deliver rape kits and do some counselling, and we’ve tried to give education on consent and get people the support they need.”
They will start and end at the Grand Hotel at 10am with a meeting after the walk to provide information, resources and support in relation to sexual assault.
O’Connell says she hopes this is the start of a larger initiative in promoting safety and justice for all.
