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What is Reclaim the Night?
Reclaim the Night is an annual women's march that is held in Bankstown on the last Thursday in October. Women across the world, march on this night to make a statement about a woman's right to walk in safety in our communities without the protection of men.

Sexual Assault is overwhelmingly a crime committed against women and one of the main reasons that women march is to bring to the public's attention the issues for women and children around sexual assault. Women often report feeling stronger, more positive and confident after participating in this women's only event.
History
Reclaim the Night marches have been held throughout the world for the past twenty-five years. The marches represent a claim for women's basic human right to live in freedom from the fear of violence and discrimination.

The first Reclaim the Night march was held in 1976 in Rome. Over 10,000 women and children marched through the centre of Rome to protest against sexual and physical violence. In 1978, the first Reclaim the Night marches were held in Australia in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Bankstown's first Reclaim the Night march was held in 2000. The march was organised by the Bankstown Sexual Assault Working Party, in response to a series of group sexual assaults that had been occurring in the area. The march is now in its 9th year, and continues to raise awareness in the community about the right for women to be free from sexual violence.
Statistics
Violence Against Women: Australian Facts and Figures
(The following statistics were compiled by Michael Flood in 2006, further detail can be found at www.whiteribbonday.org.au)
  • Anywhere from 40 - 57% of women will experience physical or sexual violence by a man at some point in their lives.
  • In the last year, between five and ten per cent of Australian women experienced at least one incident of physical and/or sexual violence by a man.
  • An Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey in 2006 revealed, in the last 12 months:
    • One in 20 women (5.8%), or over 440,000 women, were the victims of violence in the last year. 4.7% (363,000 women) experienced physical violence (including physical assault, attempted assault, or the threat of assault).
    • 1.6% (126,100 women) experienced sexual violence (including sexual assault, attempted assault, or the threat of assault).
  • An Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey in 2006 revealed, that during a lifetime;
    • Over one-third (39.9%) of Australian women report experiencing at least one incident of physical violence or sexual violence since the age of 15.
    • Since the age of 15, an estimated 3,065,800 women had experienced violence. 29% of all women (2,243,600 women) had experienced physical assault, and 17% (1,293,100) had experienced sexual assault.
SOURCE: A national survey of 16,500 Australian adults (18 and over).
PUBLICATION: ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) Personal Safety Survey Australia. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics
2008 Event
The 2008 Reclaim the Night March will take place on Thursday October 30, at Paul Keating Park, Bankstown. Preceding the march, from 5:00pm there will be local female entertainment and performances, and stories from survivors of violence. As well there will be music, sausage sizzle and a free jumping castle, face painting and balloons for kids. There is also an information stall and community workers on hand to assist those wanting to know more about local services. Volunteers will distribute free whistles and glow sticks to marchers who will congregate at 7:15pm to march peacefully through the CBD of Bankstown (map of march available here).

Last year, Bankstown Girls High School had their dance groups perform, and singers from the Bankstown Talent Advancement Program (TAP) performed. The entertainment culminated in the march led by drummers from the Older Women's Wellness Centre and interspersed with demonstrations from the Women's Self Defence Academy.

Download the 2008 Event Flyer.
Participation of Men
Reclaim the Night is historically a women's event that creates a space for women to come together and publicly speak about issues they face. The event is inclusive of all women and provides a safe place where women can connect with other women across cultures and generations.

Reclaim The Night recognises the valuable contribution that men can make in championing this cause. Men are welcome to show their support in a number of ways:
  • By respecting that it is a women's event and a women's space
  • By lining the street route and clapping women as they pass by
  • By purchasing and wearing an orange T-Shirt that states their support of women and Reclaim the Night
  • By challenging male attributes that support violence against women.
Reclaim the Night Chants
Yes means YES!
No means NO!!!!
However we dress,
Wherever we go!!!!

We demand the right
To walk the streets at night
Without the fear of rape

End the silence
On sexual violence!!!!
Women united
Will NEVER be defeated!!!!
Not your right
Our right!! Our right!!
Reclaim the NIGHT!!!
Reclaim the NIGHT!!!