Violence against women is a persistent and ongoing problem.
Police report violent crime against women is higher in the three territories than the rest of Canada. The NWT's rate of violence against women is nine times the national rate, according to Statistics Canada.
Researchers blame much of this in the North to a history of colonization and the impact of residential schooling. It has resulted in trauma and unhealthy relationships.
But non-Indigenous women are also subject to high levels of violence at the hands of men. And most women feel threatened, to some extent, just walking down the street.
Why are "cat-calls" still a thing? When does a leering man decide to escalate his perversion into an attack?
After all, the NWT also ranks at the top spot in the country for its crime rate and crime severity rate – the numbers fuelled by an upswing in police-reported sexual assaults.
And this continues, year after year after year.
And so do attempts to fight back.
For the 23rd time, the annual Take Back the Night march coursed through downtown streets last week.
More than 100 people marched, chanting, "No means no – whatever we wear, wherever we go!"
The Status of Women Council of the NWT organized the event, which saw government officials, RCMP and Municipal Enforcement Division members – and survivors of violence – walk side by side to raise awareness about street harassment and sexual violence.
"The goal is get people walking together and shouting as loud as possible to demand safe streets and try to create change," said council executive director Louise Elder.
While that change might seem hard to accomplish, moving toward a non-violent society is possible.
Apart from increased police patrols and a justice system that will be tough on sex offenders (along with more treatment programs for violent men), the root causes must be addressed.
Education is one of the most important actions to break the generational cycle of violence against women. And community healing must acknowledge Indigenous knowledge and culture.
Boys need to learn that sexual harassment isn't proper – starting when they are just teasing girls. Girls need to learn it's OK to put a boy in his place if she feels bullied.
Bystanders need to let men know it's wrong to make unwanted sexual comments in the streets or on public transit.
All women have the right to live in safe communities, free of violence and the threat of violence.