The Reclaim the Night March which took place on Friday 23rd November amidst rain and wind was a wonderful experience for everyone involved organisers said today. The message of the march and after party was one of NO MORE to violence in our communities and the message carried through despite the weather and the misinformation spread about the purpose of the event.

Reclaim the Night was an opportunity for women's voices to be heard about the reality and effects that rape and violence has on women's lives. It was said spokesperson Amy Ross " a night full of joy "as women reclaimed the streets and "broke down the silence surrounding abuse"

"We believe that the dualistic, either /or belief about abuse i.e if you speak about what it is like for women you somehow condemn men and their experiences is naive and quite depressing" Ms Ross commented. "We know that women benefit greatly from having a chance to speak out about what our experiences of violence are and how we stop this happening.

"We were saddened to see FARE quoting the long discredited statement that women are just as violent as men (see report May 2001 Some Criminal Defences with Particular Reference to Battered Defendants) and hope that they can begin to organise proactively to support men without attacking women.

Ms Ross said that she supported and encouraged men who wanted to put the energy into organising a march to vocalise men's opposition to violence and looked forward to seeing it happen.

ends

It's My Body And My Mind!!!!
Wellington Independent Rape Crisis
473-5358 business 473-5357 crisis
wirc@xtra.co.nz
56 Victoria Street
Wellington

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