Who
You! Survivors, friends, family members, colleagues, partners, activists, volunteers, staff, interns, community members, and even your four-legged friends (on leashes) are welcome to join us.
What
Walk alongside us, in solidarity with survivors. Choose to walk in-person or walk “from anywhere.” No matter where you walk, you are showing survivors that they are not alone, and we are all in this together!
When
Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 8:30 a.m.– 12 p.m.
Where
DCR’s Constitution Beach in East Boston
Why
Help raise awareness and funds to support survivors of sexual violence. Your support helps BARCC continue to provide free, trauma-informed care to survivors. It also enables BARCC to advocate for policies and strategies that help prevent sexual violence from happening in the first place.
How
Secure your spot at the 2024 Walk for Change now by registering! You can participate as an individual or as part of a team.
Over 350 community members, advocates, volunteers, students, and survivors joined the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) at Constitution Beach to raise awareness and critical funding for survivors. Together, more than 930 donors raised over $130,000 to support survivors and pursue our mission of ending sexual violence.
“Today, we are taking steps toward a future free from sexual violence,” said Executive Director Isa Woldeguiorguis to kick off the morning’s celebration. “Because of you, BARCC is able to provide free services for any survivor who needs them. Because of your support, our team is able to educate and share culturally-competent resources about consent, bystander intervention, and inclusivity that help prevent violence in the first place. Because of you, we are making cultural change. And without you, our community, our volunteers, our sponsors, our staff, this would not be possible.”
Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta shared, “We know that sexual violence knows no bounds. It does not discriminate based on race, based on gender, based on socio-economic status. It can happen to anybody, and I say this, because it’s happened to me. And in this role in this very public role, I have tried to end stigma and shame and turn my pain into purpose… I truly am here with all of you here today, and all survivors in solidarity to reclaim our power… We are here to manifest our light, to manifest the fire that burns so bright in all of us, and to tell our abusers no matter what they tried to do to take away our power, to take away our light, we will together continue to burn bright as hell.”
“Never forget how strong you are,” said Councilor Coletta. “Never forget how resilient you are. Never forget how beautiful you are. And in your humanity, you are worthy of dignity, of joy, of love, of abundance and prosperity. Remember, today we walk for change. Today and always we stand firm in our power.”
“To our survivors, may you continue to grow. May you continue to prosper. May you continue to live in peace and in support and love for one another, knowing that you have an entire community of people around you at BARCC and beyond,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden. “There are so many that love you and care for you, that will always be there for you. Not just in those days shortly after, but throughout the rest of your life and everything you do. That’s why we come back year after year to do these Walks. We stand together in unity to end sexual violence.”
Executive Director of the Massachusetts Women of Color Network (MAWOCN) Kishana Smith spoke about the importance of sustaining the leadership of women of color in the movement to end sexual violence, and about the impact of the Clothesline Project. “Every April, every Sexual Assault Awareness Month, there are clotheslines hung. Survivors are speaking out. Survivors are expressing pain, joy, and triumph, and it’s such a deep, personal way to connect with survivors.”
Deputy Director of Jane Doe Inc. Hema Sarang-Sieminski shared her gratitude for BARCC’s ongoing partnership in the legislative advocacy space. “I am just so grateful for BARCC’s policy team that we work very closely with, to the legal team, to all of the incredible advocacy offered by so many of you on behalf of survivors. Thank you.”
BARCC Board Chair April Evans took the stage to announce the incredible fundraising efforts of volunteers, board members, and supporters. “Today’s event is about fundraising and friendraising for BARCC’s mission. Thank you for helping keep BARCC’s services 100% free for ALL survivors, and inviting others to join the movement to end sexual violence,” said April.
We are so humbled and grateful for this passionate, welcoming, generous community of people who ake a stand against sexual violence every day. Thank you for all your support, and we can’t wait to see you next year!
Check out all our photos from this year’s event.
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Event Location
Constitution Beach Boston Massachusetts
BARCC Gallery
