Reclaim the Night

Friday 28 October 2011

 

Why Reclaim the Night?

Reclaim the Night marches take place every year around the world, and Oxfordshire has its own march.

On 28 October 2011 women and children and those identifying with and needing women-only spaces will walk through the streets of central Oxford, joined by men at a rally at Ruskin College, to raise awareness of the reality that violence against women is continuing, is inadequately addressed, and is the responsibility of all of us.

We will be gathering at 6.30pm at Gloucester Green for a women-only march that will walk through the city to Ruskin College Oxford for a mixed rally (for men and women) starting at 8pm featuring speakers, musical performances and warming cups of tea.

For more information, or to get involved, you can contact Reclaim the Night organisers at rtn.oxford [at] gmail.com for details

View news about Reclaim the Night on this site.

 Why we march

  • 3 million women each year in the UK experience some form of sexual violence – rape, domestic abuse, stalking. This figure doesn’t include Female Genital Mutilation, harassment, or the violence experienced by girls under 16.
  • Every year, 1 million women experience at least one incident of domestic abuse – nearly 20,000 women a week.
  • There are nearly 7,000 incidents of domestic abuse reported in Oxfordshire each year.
  • 1 in 4 women in the UK will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
  • 10 women a week take their own lives because of domestic abuse or ‘honour’-based violence.
  • 2 women a week are killed in the UK by their partner or ex-partner.
  • Domestic abuse costs the NHS £1.2 billion per year for physical support and £176 million per year in mental health services.
  • It costs Oxfordshire £125 million per year in direct support services, and up to £400 million in human and emotional costs.
  • More than 80,000 women a year are raped in England and Wales.
  • Approx 7 women each month report a rape in Oxfordshire – around 20% of the number of rapes that take place.
  • 6.1 million women in England and Wales have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
  • Rape conviction rates remain low across the UK, and nationally average out at a bit over 5% - so 95% of women who report a rape do not see a conviction in their case.
  • There are around 60 reported cases of ‘honour’-based violence each year in Oxfordshire.
  • The national Forced Marriage Unit helpline receives more than 1600 calls a year.

Yet…

  • Rape crisis centres are disappearing fast – in 1984 there were 68 across the country; by 2009 there were 30.
  • Between 25% and 39% face closure within two years.
  • Fewer than two thirds of local authorities have a women’s refuge... 

And this is before any cuts by central government or local authorities.

 So what do we want?

  • A change in attitudes – for all women and men to put the blame on abusers and not the victims, and to challenge woman-hating attitudes that say violence against women is OK. And for men to stand together with women to say that abuse will not be tolerated or accepted.
  • A commitment by government to adequately fund services that support women who’ve experienced violence and abuse.
  • Consistent and supportive police and court treatment of women who have experienced abuse, so that rape conviction rates improve and women are not afraid to go to the police and take legal action against their abusers.
  • A society where there is real equality between the sexes; where women are valued for themselves and not as sexual objects; where women feel safe both inside and outside the home; and where women’s opinions and choices are respected.

Why a women-only march?

  • Because a women-only march is an empowering experience and a safe-space for women who have experienced violence by men directed at them because they are women.
  • Because the message that women have the right to walk the streets at night without the need for male protection (which is what a women-only march demonstrates) can be undermined by a march with men taking part - looking like they're protecting women walking through dark streets.
  • Because in a society where women come second, are treated as second-class still (paid less than men, have lower pensions than men, are less likely to hold influential jobs than men...) there is still a need for women-only spaces where we can find unity through strength.

What about men?

  • Men can play valuable and unique roles in campaigns to end violence against women:
  • Talk to other men who might not listen when it seems like women are just going on about women's issues again.
  • Put a male perspective to campaigners and suggest ways to get the message across to other men.
  • Treat women with respect - friends, mothers, sisters, daughters; and model this behaviour for other men.
  • Support the Reclaim the Night marchers by helping to set up the venue for the rally and getting the kettle on (no joke - it makes all the difference) - just get to the rally a bit ahead of time.

For details, email rtn.oxford [at] gmail.com

Sources for statistics:

Thank you to Liz Jones, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Co-ordinator, Oxford City Council

Review of 2010 Reclaim the Night