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JMSU campaign · Thursday 26 November

Reclaim the Night

Our streets. Our rights. Our night.
Reclaim the Night returns for 2026, stronger, louder and united. Together with Liverpool Guild of Students and Liverpool Hope SU, we march against gender-based violence and for the right to feel safe.
Students taking part in the Reclaim the Night march in Liverpool.
Date
Thursday 26 November 2026
Time
5:30pm – 7pm
Start
St Luke's Bombed Out Church
Finish
Derby Square

What is Reclaim the Night?

Reclaim the Night is a movement that empowers people to take a stand against sexual violence, street harassment and gender-based abuse.
Since the 1970s it has been a powerful grassroots campaign for women's safety, equality and the right to walk freely without fear. Sparked in the UK by the Yorkshire Ripper murders and widespread harassment, it gave women a unified voice to demand safer streets and greater protection under the law.
Today, marches are held in cities across the country as a bold stand against gender-based violence and discrimination.

Why we march

We stand with women and girls, and with everyone affected by gender-based violence. Together, we challenge victim-blaming cultures, call for accountability and demand that safety is a right, not a privilege.
Women and girls should be free to go about their daily lives without fear of harassment or abuse.
Look back at 2025
25%
of final-year undergraduates have experienced sexual harassment since starting their studies
Source: Office for Students, 2025
Fewer than1 in 6
victims and survivors of sexual misconduct report it to the police
Source: Office for Students, 2022
71%
of women of all ages in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in a public space
Source: UN Women UK, 2021
1 in 4
women in England and Wales have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult
Source: Rape Crisis England & Wales
“Join us. Reclaim our streets. Reclaim our nights. Reclaim our rights.”

Join the movement

We're coming together to call for an end to sexual violence and to build a Liverpool where all women and marginalised genders feel safe and empowered.

Volunteer as a steward, host a Reclaim the Night or EVAWG-themed event with your society or sports club, and help shape a safer city. Together, we're pushing for better night-bus routes, affordable late-night transport and visible Safe Space points across the city centre.

Contact Lucia, VP Community & Wellbeing

On the night

  1. 5:30pm
    Arrive at St Luke's Bombed Out Church
    All students and staff welcome.
  2. 5:45pm
    Welcome speeches
    At St Luke's Bombed Out Church.
  3. 6pm
    The march begins
    Through Liverpool city centre to Derby Square.
  4. 6:30pm
    Arrive at Derby Square
  5. 6:45pm
    Closing speeches
    Speeches from students and a closing speech from Students' Union officers.
Thursday 26 November 2026
5:30pm – 7pm
Meet at St Luke's Bombed Out Church. All students and staff are welcome.
Pre-march event
Join us beforehand for talks, workshops and community building.

March route

  1. Start
    St Luke's Bombed Out Church, Leece Street
  2. Route
    Bold Street → Church Street → Lord Street
  3. Finish
    Derby Square
March with us through the city centre to reclaim our streets, amplify women's voices and demand safety for all women and marginalised genders.
Join the march

Getting home safely

The march finishes at Derby Square at around 7pm, when it will be dark. Here's how to get home safely.

By train

The closest Merseyrail station to the finish is James Street, just off Derby Square. Moorfields and Liverpool Central are both around a 10-minute walk.

By bus

Regular buses run from Queen Square and Liverpool ONE bus stations. At weekends, the N1 night bus runs hourly from around midnight to 5am between Birkenhead and Allerton via the city centre, for a £2 fare.

By taxi

Only use licensed taxis. Hail a black cab or use a rank, such as James Street, or pre-book a licensed private hire firm. Never get into a private hire car you haven't booked, and check the driver and number plate match.

Travel together

Plan your route home before you set off and leave with friends where you can. Share your live location with someone you trust, and let them know when you're home.

If you feel unsafe

Head to a Halo Point, one of the city centre's police-backed safe spaces (the nearest is at Temple Court, off Victoria Street). On Merseyrail, text British Transport Police on 61016. In bars and venues, you can Ask for Angela.

In an emergency

If you are in danger, call 999. For non-emergencies, call 101.

Our values

Inclusivity and solidarity

We ask everyone to march in a spirit of openness and inclusivity. We march with and for all women, including trans women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who have faced similar misogyny or discrimination.

Challenging victim-blaming

We stand firmly against the victim-blaming of anyone who experiences sexual assault, rape, violence or harassment. Responsibility lies solely with perpetrators, never survivors.

Reclaiming our streets

We march to take back our spaces, asserting that women have the right to move freely and safely, day or night.

Collective power

Thousands walking together sends a powerful message to our leaders that students, residents and voters care deeply about women's safety and demand action.

Knowledge and solidarity

We gather to share knowledge, strengthen networks and grow solidarity, creating the foundations for lasting change.

Stay safe with SafeZone

Reclaiming our streets also means looking out for each other every day, not just on the night of the march. LJMU's SafeZone app connects you directly to the University Security Team, whether you're walking home, travelling alone or working late on campus.
It's free for all LJMU students and staff. Register with your @ljmu.ac.uk email.

What the app does

  • Emergency alert: Contact campus security immediately.
  • First aid call: Request medical help anywhere on campus.
  • Help call: Get non-emergency help or advice.
  • Check-in: Share your location when working late or travelling alone.
  • Notifications: Get instant safety updates from LJMU.

Essential information

Accessibility
  • The march is expected to be busy and loud.
  • Stewards wearing purple high-visibility vests will be along the route. Lead stewards are trained in safeguarding, first aid and the accessibility details here.
  • A limited supply of over-ear ear defenders will be available. Please contact us in advance if you need them.
  • In-ear plugs will be available at the starting point. Ask a nearby steward.
  • The route is step-free, though there may be some inclines and uneven surfaces.
  • You can see the full route on the map in the March route section of this page.

Safe spaces
  • Safe spaces will be available in JMSU at the Student Life Building, and stewards can guide you there.
  • University and Students' Union staff will be on hand to offer support and point you to services in Liverpool.
  • For ongoing help, Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW) offers free, confidential guidance.

Photography

The event will be photographed and filmed, and content will be used to promote the campaign and future marches.

If you would prefer your image not to be used, email sumarketing@ljmu.ac.uk with a photo of yourself so we can identify you.

Face masks will be available if you would like to cover your face. Ask a steward.

Content warnings

There will be speeches at the start and end of the march, and some topics may be distressing. Content warnings for sexual assault, misogyny, transphobia and racism will be in place.

Support services

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

LJMU Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW)

LJMU Sexual Violence Liaison Advisors (SVLAs) provide specialist and emotional support to students affected in any way by sexual violence, whether recently or in the past, on or off campus.

Contact the SVLAs

General Advice and Guidance: 0151 231 3153 / 3154

Counselling and Wellbeing: 0151 231 3110 or counselling@ljmu.ac.uk

Report and Support
  • Report and Support is LJMU's harassment and sexual misconduct reporting platform. You can report anonymously, or leave contact details to get support.
  • This is not an emergency service. If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, call 999.
  • Go to Report and Support

“Ask for Martin”
  • PC Martin Triggs, our on-campus police officer, is in the Student Life Building every Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 2pm, for any student who wants to talk about concerns or experiences.
  • Visit the JMSU desk and “Ask for Martin”. You don't need to share more than you want to, and you can speak in confidence.
  • Email: m.triggs@ljmu.ac.uk

Campus Security
  • The University Security Centre is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Their number is on the back of your student ID card.
  • Emergencies: 0151 231 2222 (internal 2222)
  • Non-emergencies: 0151 231 2083 / 2513

LJMU Survivors Society
  • A safe community for survivors of abuse to come together, share and listen to others with similar experiences.
  • It is student-run and separate from university services, for students who would rather talk to other students.

StreetSafe

StreetSafe lets you anonymously report places where you felt unsafe, such as poorly lit streets or being followed or verbally abused.

SAFE Place Merseyside (SARC)
  • The Sexual Assault Referral Centre for Merseyside, supporting anyone who has been sexually assaulted, recently or at any time in the past.
  • Trained healthcare professionals offer emergency treatment, emergency contraception, referrals to counselling, and help if you would like to contact the police.
  • Telephone: 0151 295 3550 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)

RASA Merseyside

Galop

Advocacy and casework support for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence, including domestic abuse, hate crime and sexual violence.

Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS)
  • A grassroots service supporting women and girls who have experienced domestic abuse, with 1-1 support, counselling and group programmes. Anyone can make a referral.
  • Telephone: 0151 263 7474 (Mon–Thurs 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–3pm)

WHISC
  • The Women's Health Information and Support Centre supports women living with anxiety, depression, stress-related illness or isolation, with free workshops, classes and courses.
  • Telephone: 0151 707 1826

Savera UK
  • A leading charity working to end 'honour'-based abuse and harmful practices, supporting anyone at risk regardless of age, culture, sexuality or gender.
  • Helpline: 0800 107 0726 (weekdays 10am–4pm)
  • General enquiries: 0330 159 2004 (weekdays 9am–5pm)