Organised by local health, domestic violence and community services, the walk provides an opportunity for the people of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region to gather together and support each other’s right to be safe in homes and shared places across the community.

Women, children and men have been participating in Reclaim the Night marches since they started in Belgium and then the UK in the 1970s.

It began in Belgium in response to a public announcement that women should stay home at night if they wanted to be safe.  This caused an outcry from women and student groups who felt women were being blamed for being assaulted or killed.  They felt women should never be blamed and everyone should have a right to feel safe in their communities.   

Port Macquarie-Hastings women groups have been actively participating in the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protests since they started in the late 1970’s.  Most recently the Mid North Coast Local Health District has worked collaboratively with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Headspace, and police to hold the event annually. 

Mid North Coast Local Health District sexual assault counsellor Kelly Eyeington said the march is an opportunity for people to show their commitment to ending violence against women.

“On average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of domestic violence,” said Ms Eyeington.

“We want people in Port Macquarie to put on their walking shoes, bring their friends and family and join the march and help us show that together we can make a difference.”

The Reclaim the Night March addresses the rights of women and the community to feel safe at night.

Ms Eyeington said it is also important to acknowledge the terrifying rates of domestic violence deaths in Australia. 

As of October 17, 55 women have been killed by violence in Australia this year (Destroy the Joint 2016).

The Reclaim the Night March will be held on Friday, October 21 from 6.30pm until 8pm at Town Green in Port Macquarie.