200 join Reclaim the Night march
Strath protesters make their voices heard on violence
Strath residents are among those backing a global initiative to tackle gender-based violence.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign is aimed at supporting businesses, organisations and residents to take action against domestic abuse and violence.
Running until December 10, a programme of events is taking place to raise awareness of the issues, including a ‘Reclaim the Night March’ through Perth to show solidarity with women and seminars on ‘ building moral rebels’ to prevent violence and people trafficking.
Comrie’s Karen Nichol and Ava Harvey were among those who took part in the march on Thursday last week, which was one of many taking place throughout the UK.
Around 200 people heard speeches at the event, which was organised by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Perth and Kinross (RASAC), before taking to the streets with placards and banners to make their voices heard.
The annual march calling for an end to all forms of violence against women began in 1977 in response to police advice that women should ‘stay home’ for their safety amid the Yorkshire Ripper murders.
However, recent high-profile cases involving the deaths of women have brought the issue back into sharp focus, with more women and young people now getting involved in highlighting the need for action.
Ava is a youth ambassador for RASAC.
She told the Herald: “It’s a really important issue. It has always meant a lot to me I think from a young age, especially seeing gender-based harassment and abuse.
“This march was something that really signified strong feelings about that and was a chance to meet other people who felt the same as me, and get to gain an understanding of different experiences and show my passion.
“Reclaim the Night is very much about women feeling safe, and focused on some of the highprofile cases regarding violence against women that have been in the media recently.”
Ava continued: “Being a young woman who is not particularly big or tall, it’s frightening. A lot of stuff in the media just now tells you that you should be afraid. A lot of the stuff that’s happening is a reason to be afraid, and I don’t feel comfortable. Until I do, I’m
not going to stop fighting for this.”
Ava believes more provision needs to be put in place for women, especially in large cities.
She added: “They have a night train in London that is monitored.
“We need to ensure that there are women-only spaces, a place where women are surrounded by other women and they can feel comfortable, and also making sure that the people who are there to keep us safe, people like the police, are well trained on gender based violence, because a lot of the time they can’t do that properly.”
Ava also believes raising the issue from a younger age at home and in schools would help and is involved with RASAC in helping schools develop policies such as their policies on sexual harassment.
Mum Karen commented: “I feel strongly that both young women and young men understand the impact that their behaviour has, particularly out in the dark at night time, when they are coming across girls and women, and young men, on their own.
“I think it’s time to talk a little less about how victims can protect themselves and prevent it happening and more about educating in particular our young men around how they can both respect and actively support women and girls and look after them in that environment.”
RASAC centre manager Jen Stewart said: “This year’s event was the busiest yet, with around 200 people attending to march united against violence against women.
“The many banners on display communicated key messages about women’s safety, challenging some of the myths surrounding sexual violence.
“These myths are harmful and too often place the responsibility for sexual violence with the wrong person.
“Women and girls are never to blame for any form of violence against them, and perpetuating such my t h s remov e s responsibility from perpetrators.
“This needs to change, and the presence of everyone on Thursday night gave a space for being united, standing in solidarity and speaking out against violence against women.
“We are thankful to everyone who attended and to all our partners within the Violence Against Women Partnership who supported this event.”
To contact RASAC for support, call 01738 630965 or email support@rasacpk.org.uk.