Hundreds to join march against male violence in Auckland CBD

Hundreds of supporters are expected to join the 'Take Back the Night' march through central Auckland in solidarity to make the streets safe for women and fight male violence.

Organised and led by Auckland Feminist Action, the Take Back the Night march, which is part of a global initiative, will walk, dance and chant their way through the central city, starting at 7pm from the corner of Symonds and Alfred Streets. The march will conclude with a rally in Aotea Square at 8pm where representatives of local groups will speak about the right to safety against violence.

This year the march was organised to celebrate communities coming together to reclaim the right to walk our city at night - indeed all the time - without fear. Mindful of the need for rape law reform and that the Law Commission's report on sexual violence trials is due to be released in September, the objective is to bring the issue of sexual violence and rape culture to the forefront!
Auckland Feminist Action spokesperson, Meg Rayner-Thomas says: “We are taking back the night on August 28 because we know that in Aotearoa New Zealand 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault and yet only 1 in 100 of those assaulted will see justice. We are fighting for our right to be safe from men’s violence and be protected by the law as well as celebrating what can be achieved when we come together and demand change.”

Speakers and performers include:
AK Samba
Marama Davidson - Te Wharepora Hou
Kathryn McPhillips – HELP, support for sexual abuse survivors
Debbi Tohill - Rape Prevention Education
Tessa Haden - AUSA Queer Rights
Shakti Women’s Refuge
Lorri Mackness - Women’s Disability Forum
Teri Fong - Feminist Action
Sabrina Muck - Auckland Women’s Centre, Slam Poet

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