Press Release

For immediate release

Night to Be Taken Back as a Safe Space for Women

Take Back the Night, a march and rally against violence and rape, will be held this Saturday, November 1st at 7pm. There will be a rally at Aotea Square at 7pm with speakers, food, and music, followed by a march up Queen Street to Basque Park off upper Symonds St.

Take Back the Night is a long-running international event that raises awareness of and bears witness to the violent crimes perpetrated against women, children, transgendered and intersexed persons everywhere. It is also an empowering opportunity for women to recognize their shared experiences and unite in the struggle for a world without violence.

"From being afraid to walk alone at night to being murdered by a spouse, women are subject to a range of violence from the street to the home. We are standing together to celebrate our strength and call for an end to rape and violence," said Felicity Perry, one of the organizers of this year's Take Back the Night.

"The amount of violence in Aotearoa New Zealand is shocking. On average a woman is killed every six weeks by her (ex-)partner, and ten children are killed each year by a family member or members. In 2006, Women's Refuge received over 41,500 calls to their crisis line.[1]<#11d4a1b6e9ca638e_11d47ec2f9713358_11d47ea123946e1e_11d47e268ac18 65a__ftn1> This brutality has got to stop," said Perry.

"For survivors and those who face the threat of violence, this march is a reminder that they are not alone" Felicity Perry said. "We call for women, children, takaatapui, fafafine, transgendered and intersexed persons to join us in taking back the night."

Please note, men are asked not to attend this year's Take Back the Night. We understand that most men also want a world without rape and violence and we ask them to take this time to ask how they can best organize themselves to achieve this goal.

For further information, please email takebackthenightak@gmail.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media