We were very lucky with the weather (remember the electrical storm the night before?) and very pleased to have a gathering of 150 women and children assembling at Apex Park to reclaim our right to sexual safety.

Mandy Nolan was fantastic as usual, reminding women that fear of sexual assault keeps women from living life fully. This has to change!  Sharon Brodie, from Richmond Sexual Assault Service remarked that the very fact that we have had 29 years of Reclaim the Night rallies means that women and children are still not safe. She says it’s time to focus on the perpetrators and their behaviour, rather than giving women yet more advice about keeping safe!

As Lou Beaumont says in the Echo, we were anything but quiet as we marched through the streets of Byron with our banners, whistles, drums and chants. Many people stood outside cafes and bars to watch, clap and add their voices to ours: this token of support was heartening.

Thank you to every woman and child who gathered and marched on the night: we made a powerful presence and made our demands clear! I would also like to thank Raylee Delaney and The Beach Hotel, who generously financially supported the rally; and Mary, Zenith and Maggie who worked tirelessly to organize the event.
See you there next year!