Moray Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership (MVAWGP) is inviting the local community to join Moray’s first ever Reclaim the Night March and take a powerful stand against violence targeting women and girls.
The torchlit march will set off from the Plainstones in central Elgin at 6pm on Monday 25 November, marching to Cooper Park and back to St Giles Church.
The event aims to raise awareness of harassment, violence and abusive behaviour directed at women and girls, and will mark the start of local involvement in 16 Days of Activism. The global campaign to end gender-based violence is supported by MVAWGP and community planning partners who work together to promote public safety and wellbeing under the Protecting People in Moray initiative.
Dr Emma Plant, spokesperson for MVAWGP, explained the importance of Reclaim the Night marches as opportunities to take back spaces where women have every right to be at any time of the day or night, without the threat of male harassment and violence. They also help show solidarity with individuals who have experienced sexual violence.
“We march to honour their strength and survival. We march because women, men and those who are neither should be able to walk wherever they choose, whenever they choose, without the threat of sexual assault or rape. We march because telling us we ‘shouldn’t go out at night’ is an insult, not a solution.
“No matter what you were wearing, drinking or doing, there is never any justification for sexual violence. Victim-blaming will not end sexual assault, only make it harder for those affected to seek help.
“March with us to Reclaim the Night on 25 November and support the survivors as we demand a better, safer future for all of us.”
Supporters are invited to gather at the Plainstones from 5.30pm and to bring a torch. The march will begin at 6pm, following a route down to Cooper Park and back to St Giles Church where there will be information stalls and the opportunity to hear from speakers.
For more information about the mark and the work of MVAWGP, please email vawgpartnership@moray.gov.uk . Learn more about the work of the Protecting People in Moray partnerships by heading to the website at https://morayprotects.co.uk/
