Four people holding protest placards

Reclaim the Night

Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

After a few years hiatus, Reclaim the Night is back in Liverpool for 2024! In a powerful collaboration, JMSU, Liverpool Guild of Students, and Liverpool Hope SU have joined together to bring this vital event to life. This is a call to action—an opportunity to stand united in demanding an end gender-based violence, to challenge victim-blaming cultures, and to show our leaders that the safety of women matters deeply to both residents and students. 

Our campaign sheds light on ongoing issues around safety, visibility, and justice for women and marginalised groups across our city. Together, let’s make Liverpool a place where everyone can feel secure and included. Join us as we reclaim our streets, our nights, and our rights. 

What's on

 

 

Resources

What is Reclaim the Night?

Since the 1970s, Reclaim The Night has been a powerful grassroots campaign fighting for women’s safety, equality, and the right to walk freely without fear of violence. Originally sparked in the UK by the Yorkshire Ripper murders and widespread harassment, the movement gave women a unified voice to demand safer streets and greater protection under the law. Today, Reclaim The Night marches are held across cities as a bold stand against gender-based violence and discrimination. 

On the streets, women and girls experience misogynistic, gender-based abuse, harassment and unwanted attention from men on a daily basis. 71% of women of all ages have experienced sexual harassment in a public space.  1 in 5 women will experience sexual violence.  Women and girls should be free to go about their daily lives without fear of harassment or abuse. 

Purpose & values

 

  • Reclaim the Night Liverpool believes that all women and girls should be safe.  We are clear about our values and ask that all people attending the march do so in a spirit of openness and inclusivity. 
  • We march with and for all women.  This includes trans women and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who have faced similar forms of misogyny or discrimination. 
  • We march to demand an end to sexual assault, rape, and all forms of men’s violence and harassment against women and girls. 
  • We march to demand an end to the victim-blaming of women who experience sexual assault, rape, violence and harassment. 
  • We march to reclaim our streets and take back our spaces and to say that we have a right to access them without any fear. 
  • A mass of women walking the streets together sends a message to our leaders that citizens, residents and voters care about women’s safety. 
  • We gather to share knowledge, build up contacts and grow solidarity between all women. 

Join the Movement!

 

Join us on Friday 29th November, as we come together to reclaim our streets and make our voices heard!

We will walk through Liverpool’s streets to call for an end to sexual violence and to demand a city where all women and marginalised genders can feel safe and empowered.

Key aims

  1. Extend Night-Bus Routes for Safer Transport Access - Extend the city’s night-bus routes, such as providing a night-bus to areas like Kensington, to ensure everyone can get home safely after late-night events. 
  2. Ensure Affordable and Safe Transport in Liverpool’s Night-Time Economy - Make transport home affordable, safe, and accessible for everyone working or socialising in Liverpool’s night-time economy 
  3. Install “Safe Space” Markers in Public Areas of the City Centre - Collaborate with local councils to establish ‘Safe Space’ markers at strategic locations across the city centre, where individuals in need of urgent support can find assistance 

Want to get involved?

Contact Alexandria, your Vice President Community & Wellbeing Officer vpcommunity@ljmu.ac.uk  

  • Volunteer as a steward to help at the march 
  • Organise an EVAWG/Reclaim themed event with your society or sports club 

March route and information

 

Important information

 

Accessibility Information

  • The march is expected to be both busy and loud. 
  • Stewards wearing purple high-visibility vests will be present along the route. The lead stewards are trained in safeguarding, first aid, and the accessibility details outlined here. 
  • A limited supply of over-ear ear defenders will be available. If you require them, please contact us in advance. 
  • In-ear plugs will be provided at the march starting point – please ask a nearby steward for assistance if you require these. 
  • The route will be step-free, though there may be some inclines and uneven surfaces in certain areas. 
  • A route map will be accessible under the 'March Route and Information' tab, and printed copies will also be distributed by stewards on the day of the event.

Safe Spaces

  • Safe spaces will be available in the JMSU, Student Life Building, and stewards will be available to guide you there. 
  • University and student union staff will be on hand to provide support and direct you to relevant services in Liverpool if needed. 
  • For ongoing assistance, Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW) offers free, confidential guidance on a variety of issues. 

Photography

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

If you prefer that your image or video not be used, please email sumarketing@ljmu.ac.uk with your request and include a photo of yourself for identification purposes. 

Face masks will also be available for those who wish to cover their face—please ask a steward if you'd like one. 

Content warnings

At both the start and end of the march, you will hear speeches from various speakers. Please be aware that some topics may be distressing for certain individuals. Content warnings for sexual assault, misogyny, transphobia, and racism will be in place. 

A transcript of the speeches will soon be available for download on this webpage. 

Support services

 

LJMU Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW) 

The LJMU Sexual Violence Liaison Advisors (SVLAs) can provide specialist and emotional support to LJMU students who have been impacted in any way by sexual violence. This may be in relation to something that has happened recently, in the past, on or off campus, involving another student or anyone else. 

Contact the SVLAs 

General Advice and Guidance - Telephone: 0151 231 3153 / 3154 

Counselling and Wellbeing Services - Telephone: 0151 231 3110 or Email – counselling@ljmu.ac.uk  

Report & Support 

  • Report and Support is LJMU's harassment and sexual misconduct reporting platform. You can report an incident anonymously and you can also report using contact details to get support if you need it. 
  • This not an emergency service. If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, please call the emergency services on 999. 
  • Report and support

"Ask for Martin"

  • Every Monday, Thursday, and Friday between 10am and 2pm, PC Martin Triggs, our on-campus police officer, will be in the Student Life Building available to any student who wants to talk and discuss their concerns or personal experience. 
  • If you wish to speak to him, visit the JMSU desk and "Ask for Martin". You do not need to reveal any more details than you want to and can speak to Martin in confidence. 
  • Email: m.triggs@ljmu.ac.uk

Campus Security

  • Here at LJMU, we have a Campus Security Service to help ensure our grounds are a safe and secure at all times. The safeguarding the university's students, staff, visitors, property and reputation is our utmost priority. 
  • The University Security Centre is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. On the back of your Student ID card, you can find their phone number. 
  • Emergencies: 0151 231 2222 (Internal 2222) 
  • Security Control non emergencies: 0151 231 2083 / 2513

LJMU Survivors Society 

  • LJMU Survivors Society is a safe place and community for victims of abuse to come together, share, and listen to others who have had similar experiences. 
  • It is a student-run group separate from University services, so students can talk to other students, as not everyone feels comfortable speaking to members of staff or other authoritative figures at the University.

StreetSafe

StreetSafe is a website that allows people to anonymously report streets where they felt unsafe. This includes issues like poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings, or vandalism, as well as instances where you feel unsafe due to someone following or verbally abusing you. 

Safe Place Merseyside - Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

  • SAFE Place Merseyside is the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for the Merseyside area. 
  • At SAFE Place they offer a service for both males and females who have been sexually assaulted both recently and at any time in the past. 
  • They have highly trained healthcare professionals who are there to support you at their centre in Liverpool City Centre. 
  • As well as emergency treatment, emergency contraception and advice on many other services, they can offer referrals to counsellors and can help you if you would like to contact the Police. 
  • Telephone: 0151 295 3550 (available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) 

RASA Merseyside

  • RASA Merseyside is a professional counselling and support service that exists solely to improve the mental and physical well-being of individuals impacted by sexual violence at some point in their lives. 
  • Helpline: 0151 666 1342 Tues and Thurs 6-8pm Friday 12-2pm 
  • Email: referrals@rasamerseyside.org 

GALOP

Galop provides advocacy and casework support for LGBT+ people who have experience abuse and violence. Advocates and caseworkers work with clients, based on what each individual person needs. Our advocacy service specialises in supporting LGBT+ victims and survivors of domestic abuse, hate crime, sexual violence, and other forms of abuse. 

  • LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 494 5428 
  • Conversion Therapy Helpline: 0800 130 3335 
  • LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline: 020 7704 2040 

LDAS

  • Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS) is a grassroots community-based service that specialises in the support of women and girls who have experienced domestic abuse. 
  • They have a range of helpful support services such as 1-1 support, counselling, and group programmes. Any organisation or individual can make a referral to LDAS to receive support. 
  • Telephone: 0151 263 7474 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-3pm) 

WHISC

  • The Women’s Health Information & Support Centre (WHISC) is a charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women and their families throughout Liverpool and the surrounding areas.  
  • They support women who are living with anxiety, depression stress-related illness and those who are feeling isolated or simply in need of a listening ear.  Women can join free workshops, classes, and training courses at their warm and welcoming City-based centre.   
  • Telephone: 0151 707 1826 to book or find out more

SAVERA UK

  • SAVERA UK is a leading charity working to end 'honour'-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices through direct interventions and safeguarding, advocacy, education, engagement, awareness-raising and campaigning for policy, attitude and behaviour change. 
  • It provides life-saving services to those at risk, regardless of age, culture, sexuality or gender. 
  • Helpline: 0800 107 0726 (operates weekdays 10am – 4pm) 
  • General enquiries: 0330 159 2004 (9am – 5pm weekdays)