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Albany Reclaim the Night rally aims to end violence against women and children

Sarah MakseAlbany Advertiser
Back: Amy Kerr, Jo Fictoor, Caroline Smith, Bronwyn O'Shannessy, Pam Watts. Front: Asha Bhat and Jiji Khan.
Camera IconBack: Amy Kerr, Jo Fictoor, Caroline Smith, Bronwyn O'Shannessy, Pam Watts. Front: Asha Bhat and Jiji Khan. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser

The Albany community will take to the streets next week to demand an end to violence against women and children, joining a global march for action.

Taking place on the last Friday in October every year, Reclaim the Night will be held at Albany Town Square where people will gather as part of a movement that dates back to the 1970s in the UK.

Great Southern police Superintendent Kim Travers and a survivor will be among the speakers to share their stories, exploring this year’s theme of consent.

The event will also feature a performance by community choir Playlist.

“We are saying we will not hide in the dark and stand silently in the face of violence,” Albany Family and Domestic Violence Action Group chair Asha Bhat said.

“We will march together, bright and loud, lighting the way for us and our future generations.”

WA is coming off its worst year on record for family and domestic violence in 2020-21, with reported assaults up 11 per cent on 2019-20 and more than double the figures from a decade ago.

This year, Albany’s Reclaim the Night will call for more support for victims and more awareness that abuse of women and children can take many forms, such as verbal, emotional and financial.

Ms Bhat said the community was invited to bring a light of their choice and a banner or sign denouncing violence against women and children.

“The basic foundation of the event is everyone has a right to feel safe,” she said.

“Reclaim the Night this year is particularly significant given the violent offences that have occurred in our community over recent months as well as in the media nationally.”

The event will start at the Town Square at 6.30pm on October 29.

For details, visit AFDVAG on Facebook or contact afdvag@gmail.com.

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