October 28, 2022
Storm clouds and the occasional distant flash of lightning couldn’t stop a bunch of determined women and their supporters from “reclaiming the night” in Kingaroy on Thursday.
The annual “Reclaim The Night” rally and street march began in the Town Hall Forecourt at 5:00pm.
About one hundred people, including survivors of sexual violence, gathered to listen to guest speakers and enjoy a free sausage sizzle cooked up by Kingaroy and Murgon police officers.
The event was organised by the South Burnett Sexual Assault Action Group and supported by the Centacare South Burnett Sexual Assault Service and Laurel Place,which provides help, counselling and advice for women, children and teenagers who have experienced sexual assault.
The aim was to “make some noise” about sexual violence, and share information about the supports available for victims.
And they certainly made some noise … students from the the Saint Mary’s Catholic College Drumline led the parade while the marchers chanted the now-traditional Reclaim The Night rallying call, “We demand the right to walk the streets at night!”
The first co-ordinated women’s marches against sexual harassment and rape began in Europe and the United States in the mid-1970s.
The first Reclaim The Night march was held in Australia in 1978.
Marches were held in Kingaroy for several years, and then were revived in 2017 after an 18-year gap.
Guest speakers included Jan, from Laurel Place, which last year handled 89 sexual assault referrals and counselled 119 people.
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Prendergast, from Kingaroy CIB, explained that Sexual Violence Liaison Officers had been appointed by the Queensland Police Service at the start of this year.
He is responsible for the area south of Wooroolin, while Detective Sergeant Martin Hunter, from Murgon CIB, handles the area north of Tingoora.
October is Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
* * *
For support on sexual assault:
- 1800-737-732 – 1800RESPECT
- 1800-010-120 – Domestic Violence Connect
- (07) 4162-5439 – Centacare
- Laurel Place
|
|
|
|
|
|
