RECLAIM The Night is an international movement that started in the 1970s and is a mainstay of Sexual Violence Awareness Month, which is observed in October.
Marked this year on 25 October, it saw locals gather at the Town Beach Amphitheatre for an event and walk facilitated by the Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, headspace, and Mid North Coast Police.
The event was well attended with several guest speakers including Citizen of The Year Di Bannister from Lifeline; Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer; NSW Police Senior Constable Tim Preston; and People and Culture Manager from Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services Brooke Maggs.
A Connection to Country was given by Birpai and Dhanggati Elder Dr Aunty Rhonda Radley with Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac in the role of MC.
Speakers emphasised the unacceptable rate of gendered violence in Australia, highlighting the 56 women and 21 children murdered this year.
They implored the community to remember that safety should be a human right for all.
Event attendee Leesa Baxter told News Of The Area, “as a woman and a mother of teens I worry constantly, it is high time that we make a change and put a stop to the violence.”
These sentiments were echoed by Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer who told NOTA, “this movement is about everyone feeling safe wherever they are at any time of day or night.
“As a father of daughters and a son, I want to live in a world where respect, equality and safety are a part of everyday life.”
There were many multi-generational family groups who participated in the walk, with entertainment provided by The Adam Ruthless Band, and the local Lions providing a BBQ.
By Rachael THORPE
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