Campaigners 'reclaim the night' as they highlight growing levels of violence against women and girls
A march will take place tonight in Plymouth
There'll be a call to 'end violence against women and girls' tonight in Plymouth, as a 'reclaim the night' march takes place.
Amanda Greenwood is from South West charity Trevi which is behind it and says women shouldn't feel they need to watch where and when they go places just to feel safe, adding: "We know there is an issue here.
"We know that violence against women is on the rise and it's really important to make people understand that we don't have to accept this and we don't have to live in fear.
"We are 51 per cent of the population, why on earth is this somehow being normalised as thought it's part of everyday life.
"Women are angry, our friends and our family are angry and it's compromising for all of our lives, male and female.
"The march will bring together women, allies, students, families, sector workers, and local supporters to raise awareness of women’s safety and show solidarity with those affected by abuse, harassment, and violence."
She added: "Violence against women and girls is now recognised as a national emergency. That makes it everyone’s business - everyone should be concerned.
"Reclaim the Night is about stepping up and speaking out for women’s and girls’ right to be safe wherever they are: at home, in school, at work, and on our streets. We see the impact of violence and trauma every day in our work. How much longer are women and girls expected to endure this?"
Reclaim the Night began as an international movement in the 1970s, when women marched to protest violence and curfews imposed on them ‘for their own safety’.
The movement challenged the idea that women should restrict their lives to avoid harm, instead placing responsibility on society to address abuse and hold perpetrators to account.
Trevi says that, whilst Reclaim the Night is over 50 years old, the need for action remains urgent. Violence against women and girls is now recognised by the government as a national emergency, and the newly published VAWG strategy underlines why: in the year ending March 2025, one in eight women in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.
In the year ending June 2025, police recorded almost 200 rapes every day - almost certainly an underestimate of the true picture. And every year, more than 150 women in England and Wales are killed.
The event will include stands from Trevi, the Intercom Trust, Firstlight, and M.A.N. Culture, as well as support from PCSOs, the Fire Service, Plymouth City Street Pastors, and Plymouth Night Patrol, alongside over 30 public volunteers.
There will also be speeches from individuals and organisations working to end violence against women and girls, including local MP, Rebecca Smith.
To register, book a place on the placard workshop, or volunteer to support click here