Reclaim the Night Leeds 28th November 2009

Posted on November 7, 2009
Filed Under 16 Days 2009 2008, Benefit, Demonstration March, Violence Against Women, Women's Group, Yorkshire & Humberside | Comments Off

A group of women in Leeds are planning a Reclaim the Night March for Saturday 28th November 2009. A Reclaim the Night March is direct action by women to reclaim the streets and assert our right to feel free from fear of rape and sexual violence. The march will take women on a route around the city centre to reclaim places where lone women feel vulnerable from attack; the last mile of the march will be open to all. There will be a rally, which will be open to all our supporters

http://www.reclaimthenight.co.uk

Why are we reclaiming the night in Leeds?

Research suggests that as few as 10% of rape and sexual assaults are reported to the police. Of these few only around 8% result in a conviction, perhaps because that there is a general sense the woman is partly responsible because she is out alone, had a drink or dressed provocatively. We assert our right, as women, to feel free from the fear of rape and sexual violence wherever we are, by reclaiming areas around Leeds where women feel vulnerable from attack.

Our objectives are:
a. To raise awareness and understanding of rape and sexual violence committed against women and girls. This will include exploding myths around rape and sexual violence and challenging public attitudes towards rape and sexual violence as symbolised by the low rape conviction rate;
b. By publicising the prevalence and effects of rape and sexual violence, provide a platform for campaigning for improved services in the Leeds area, thus striving to make safer and sustainable communities;
c. To build partnerships with national and Leeds based organisations and ensure Reclaim the Night Leeds is citywide;
d. To promote the participation of all women, encompassing their diversity.
e. To encourage the participation of all women and work towards encompassing their diversity.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112698470884

Reclaim the Night Leeds 2009

Asserting women’s right to feel free from the fear of rape and sexual violence Saturday 28th November 2009 6.30pm from outside Leeds Art Gallery

Women of Leeds are invited to meet outside Leeds Art Gallery at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start to march through the centre of Leeds.

The main march will be open to self-defining women only.

Other supporters are invited to join us for the final stage of the march at the bottom end of Briggate at approximately 7.10.

After the arrival of the march at approx. 7.30-7.45 there will be a mixed reception with speakers and stalls. Children are welcome. This will be held in the Lord Mayor’s Banqueting Suite, Civic Hall, just off Millennium Square, Leeds. Speakers include Leeds politicians, people working in the field of supporting women who have experienced sexual violence and women who have advised government. We anticipate this will finish approx. 8.45-9. (All timings are approximate and dependent on the duration of the march)

Following the rally there will be an after march party hosted by Sapphic Traffic.

Reclaim the Dance Floor @ The Common Place 23-25 Wharf Street, LS2 7EQ. £4/£3. 10-3pm

The after party will be a safe space where you can dance, not-dance, drink, not-drink, talk, not-talk and experience music in the company of like-minded types, a space in which there are no presumptions, norms, or demands made of participants beyond extending respect to others involved. For all shapes, sizes, genders and persuasions.
9.30pm Doors
10pm First Band
£2 Members/Post-March and Rally
£3 Guests

http://www.reclaimthenightleeds.org.uk
reclaimthenightleeds@googlemail.com

http://reclaimthenightleeds.wordpress.com/reclaim-the-night-2009/