Communities to Reclaim The Night as part of annual campaign

Renfrewshire residents are being encouraged to join the annual march to end domestic abuse, harassment and violence against women and young people.

Reclaim The Night is a local event organised by Renfrewshire Council’s Community Learning and Development team, Women and Children First team, and its partners. It is held as part of the United Nation’s global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

This year’s event takes place on Wednesday 27 November in Paisley town centre. Hundreds will gather at 5.45pm outside University of the West of Scotland entrance on Paisley’s High Street.

The march starts at 6pm. Pipers will lead the crowd down the High Street towards Dunn Square where a choir will sing as part of the memorial event to remember women and girls who have lost their lives to violence.

Afterwards, refreshments and entertainment will take place in Paisley Town Hall.

People of any age can attend. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “Reclaim The Night is an important event to raise our voices and tell the world that assaults and violence against women and young people is not acceptable. Everyone should be safe from gender-based violence.

“As a council, we continue to work with communities and our partners to make sure this is a safe place to live, work, study and visit. Women and young people should feel safe to be out at night free from the threat of sexual assault and harassment at all times of year, but especially during the dark nights in winter.

“I hope as many people as possible can come along to this event.”

Anyone suffering physical, mental and emotional abuse by a partner or family member is urged to reach out for help and support from the following organisations:

Scottish Domestic Abuse—call 0800 027 1234 or text/WhatsApp 07401288595

Abused Men in Scotland—call 03300 949 395

The Council’s Women and Children First team—call 0300 300 0345.