A record number of people took to the streets of Perth last week as part of an international anti-violence campaign.
The Reclaim the Night march on December 1 was held as part of the international movement ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’.
The “biggest turnout yet” of participants met at St Paul’s Church Square at 5.30pm before leaving at 6pm, making their way through the city centre with placards and banners to raise awareness and encourage solidarity.
The marches first began in Leeds in the 1970s as part of the Women’s Liberation Movement, demanding that women be able to move throughout public spaces at night, with protests against rape and violence against women, around the time of the murders committed by Peter Sutcliffe.
The evening opened with speeches by Provost Xander McDade, and Hazel Robertson, chair of the Violence Against Women Partnership and Reclaim the Night March organisers RASAC PK.
Representatives from a range of organisations including, Andy’s Man Club, Perth Women’s Collective, Gender Equality Perth, Perth Minorities Association and Perth Soroptimists International also attended.
RASAC PK, a charity which offers free and confidential support to woman and young people who have experienced sexual violence, said: “In partnership with the Perth and Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership, RASAC PK has welcomed the opportunity to organise another successful Reclaim the Night march in Perth’s city centre.
“The march was the busiest one to date.
“The marches represented the strong message that women should be able to walk anywhere and not be blamed or restricted due to the impact of male violence.
“This message is as relevant today as it was then because of the reality that too many women and girls experience, or are at risk of, gender-based violence within their homes and on their streets.
“We are unsure of how many attended the march, but we know that it was the biggest turnout yet. We should live in a world where these marches are not needed, where all women and girls are safe both at home and outside, and where perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
“We thank everyone who came along, and all for the banners made to protest for women and girls’ right to safety.”
The 16 Days campaign kicked off at Perth Concert Hall on November 25 and runs until Human Rights Day on December 10.
RASAC PK can be contacted on 01738 630965 (24-hour answering machine available).
•All photos by attendee Scott Rodgie - instagram.com/tamedprocess
