Bristol Reclaim the Night 2009
 
Bristol Reclaim the Night 2009 took place on Friday the 20th Feb. After gathering in College Green to mark a minute's silence in rememberance of the victims of sexual violence, we took to the streets to defend the right to be able to walk in our city at night free from the threat of violence. We carried candles against the dark and broke the silence with drumming, singing and dance all the way through the city to Easton where we heard speeches and music at the Trinity Centre. This evening of events was organised, funded and supported by several local and national groups and hundreds of individuals. People from all backgrounds came together to make a positive difference in Bristol. 

Videos of the speeches are available. We were honoured to hear from Gill Hague of Bristol Uni and the Violence Against Women Research Group, Wendy Martin of The Bridge (Sexual Assault Referaal Clinic), Sue Lloyd of Victim Support, Elaine Hutton and Natasha Mulvihill of Rape Crisis, DCI Sarah Crew of Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Rape and Sexual Assault Strategic Group and Amy Auton of Amnesty International.

Six months on from RTN 2009 Bristol saw significant progress in the conviction of rapists; the Bristol Rape Crisis Centre opened it's helpline on Weds 19th Aug and on Tues 25th Aug Bristol Feminist Network hosted a public meeting in support of wider teaching of SRE.

One25 Project were presented with the donations from Reclaim the Night. One25 was the first organisation in England to get victim compensation for women involved in sex-work and provides essential support to women trapped in sex-work and addiction. You can still add to the donation via theirJust Giving page.

Congratulations Bristol!

You can download a press release detailing the recent successes here.