I was just reading the comments on this Shakesville thread, “Feminism 101“, when a press release for Reclaim the Night, from the Cross Campus Womyns Network in Melbourne, dropped into my inbox.

The Shakes thread opens:

The Right To Go Out by Echidne.

Discussion Question: In what ways has the idea of sexual assault and/or street harassment affected your daily movements?

What follows is a 417-comment thread (so far) of women talking about the ways in which their everyday life, their right to exist in the world, are constrained by the fact that they’re female. There are men in the thread absolutely shocked and horrified that this is what women go through constantly, and several transfolk, before and after transition, talking about the difference in experiences dependent on their gender presentation. It’s worth grabbing a cuppa and reading through the whole thing. Possible trigger warnings apply.

So, Melburnians who would like to Reclaim the Night, and assert that freedom from sexual violence is a basic human right:

You are invited to Reclaim the Night, Thursday 30th October 2008

Reclaim the Night is an annual worldwide event demanding and envisioning a world without violence against women. Every woman has the right to live their life free from violence, rape or fear. Whatever they wear, wherever they go. 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime (CASA). Furthermore, there is inadequate funding to support survivors.

Stand up and join together with women from all over Victoria at this empowering event.

7.30pm – Rally at State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne. With speakers.
8pm – March in solidarity (autonomous for all socialised and identifying women, and children).
8.30pm – Afterparty at Bella Bar, Trades Hall, corner Victoria and Lygon Streets Carlton South. Everyone is welcome to the afterparty, in celebration of womens strength and survival. Free food, local performers, music, info and zine fair and childminding.

There are Reclaim the Night events all over Australia. They’re not all on the same date, so check carefully. Find your local Reclaim the Night event here.

Here are a few:

Reclaim the Night Perth
Friday 31 October 2008, 7:30 pm
Meet 7pm at Wellington St Forecourt (grassed area in front of Perth train station – opposite Forest Chase), 7.30pm for an 8pm sharp start for the march, followed by the rally and entertainment in Stirling Gardens, from 8.30pm until 12 midnight. [NOTE: This event is no longer starting at the Cultural Centre.]
Event is women and children (boys under 12 only).

Reclaim the Night Adelaide
31 October, 2008, 7pm to 11.30pm
Yungondi Courtyard, Lion Arts Centre, cnr North Tce & Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000

Reclaim the Night Canberra
Friday 31 October, 2008, 5:30 pm
Garema Place, Canberra City
Entertainment from Damsels in this Dress, the Djembaying Drummers, the Vagina Monologues, and various other speakers on the Night. Entertainment commences 6.30pm, followed by the march at 7.30pm.

Reclaim the Night Brisbane
Friday 31 October 2008, 6 pm
Gather at Russel St Green, Southbank at 6pm for rally. Then march at 6.45pm along Grey st to the Ukranian Hall on Cordelia St South Brisbane, for festival from 7.15pm onwards.

Reclaim the Night Sydney
Friday 31 October 2008, 6 pm
Women gather at Town Hall Square at 6pm for rally and march

Reclaim the Night Bankstown
Thursday 30 October 2008, 5.00pm-7.45pm
Paul Keating Park – The Mall, Bankstown

Reclaim the Night Bathurst/CSU
Thursday 30 October 2008, 6:30-9:00
March will commence at 6.30pm in Machattie Park in Bathurst with speeches, singing and performances
Returning to the Park by 8.30pm and more singing by candlelight.

You are welcome to post links to global Take Back the Night and Reclaim the Night events in comments. Here’s a starting point:

London

Oxford, Southport, and Birmingham

Take Back the Night, USA

[image is from RTN Australia]

Categories: gender & feminism, violence

Tags: activism/charity, sexual assault, sexual violence, shakesville, social change, solidarity, street harassment, violence against women