Reclaim the Night will be held in Byron Bay this year on Friday 28 October.
The event will commence from 6pm at Apex Park on the beachfront, with lantern decorating and service providers available with information.
From 7.30pm young women will be speaking about sexual assault in our community, speakers and entertainment will be provided and the march will be leaving the park to go through town from 8pm.
Women are asked to wear red and to bring noise-makers with them. The Samba Blisstas along with Nicqui Yazdi will be leading the march. Ilona Harker will provide entertainment at the conclusion of the march in Apex Park until 9pm.
Assaults – 50 per cent alcohol related
‘Byron Bay is now seen as a party town and unfortunately this also means an increase in assaults and domestic violence,’ says Neroli Jager of the Women’s Resource Service.
‘Recent figures from the NSW police indicate that more than 50 per cent of assaults in the Northern Region were flagged by the police as being alcohol related.
She says local services are now going into secondary schools talking about the issues of sexual consent, alcohol and drug use and respectful behaviour.
‘This year we are expecting a new generation of young women to start taking the baton and to continue to raise awareness that violence against women still exists and is still tolerated,’ says Ms Neroli.
For further information check out the Facebook site ‘Reclaim the Night Byron Bay 2011’ or contact Neroli Jager on 0457 864 253.
