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Women will march and hold a peaceful, night-time protest against sexual violence on the streets of Devon next week.

The Reclaim the Night events are designed to promote public awareness about the levels of violence and harassment experienced by women and girls on our streets.

The protests send out the message that people of any gender should be able to walk safely on the street at any time of day without the fear of being sexually harassed, sexually assaulted or raped.

Events will take place in Exeter, Barnstaple and Plymouth.

Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services, Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE), Local Feminist groups and students from Exeter University have joined forces again to make this year another large, visible protest about sexual violence.

Chair of the Planning Group, Mandy Barnes said: “The march is happening during the 16 days of action, which are between the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women and girls — 25th November and the 10th December which is Human Rights Day.

“This reminds us all that violence and harassment is still an ongoing concern for women in Exeter and Devon as well as across the globe and that it is a human right for us to be able to feel safe out on the streets where we live.”

The Exeter Reclaim the Night event is on Thursday, November 30, and it starts with a gathering at St Sidwell Community Centre from 4pm – 6pm where people from Exeter and the surrounding areas will join together in solidarity against harassment, intimidation and violence on our city streets.

There will be placard and banner making workshops, food and refreshments as well as general inspiration to generate an atmosphere of collaboration and community. The march itself starts at 6.30pm from St Sidwell’s ending around 7.30pm in Bedford Square.

Fee Scott from Devon RCSAS said: “Reclaim the Night events have been hosted across the country since 1977 and we are so pleased to be generating more and more interest in our annual protest in Exeter.

“We know that many people have never been on a march before and may feel slightly unsure about joining in but we would encourage anyone who cares about women and children to come along. The atmosphere will be light, you will be amongst people who feel the same as you and the march is about visibility rather than confrontation.”

Emma Pope from Feminist Devon said: “Women have been socially, culturally and economically conditioned to defer to men, we want to challenge this. We want women at Reclaim the Night to lead, feel strong, safe and empowered.”

The event in Barnstaple takes place on Thursday, November 30, at 7pm in Barnstaple Square.

Plymouth’s Reclaim the Night will start at Plymouth Guildhall at 5pm on December 7, and has attracted the support of many organisations who are planning on participating in the march as well as many individuals. From 5pm to 6pm, attendees are invited to participate in fun activities and placard making.

From 6pm until 6.30pm, the group will assemble and then from 6.30pm onwards the march will take place from Royal Parade to New George Street and back. All people of any gender are welcome to take part.