Traditionally, Reclaim the Night is a march of women for women to reclaim public spaces where women are often intimidated, harassed and assaulted at the hands of male offenders. 

The Ballarat march, however, has the broader premise of supporting and destigmatising all survivors of sexual assault and harassment. 

“Reclaim the Night started in the 70s as a response to sexual violence in the streets and women not feeling safe in public,” Kate Drury said. 

“Over the years it has grown to include women who don’t feel safe at home; in fact we know the most dangerous place for a woman to be is at home on a Saturday night with her partner and this happens all around the world.”

The aims of the Reclaim the Night march in Ballarat are to lead by example, create a sense of understanding and support in the community, and take a vocal stand against all forms of sexual violence. 

“It is a declaration of intentions of what we want for our city,” Siobhan Fearon said. 

“We do really admire other Reclaim the Nights for making it a women’s march but we want to keep this a community event because of what Ballarat is coming back from and the history of sexual abuse in the city.”

The Reclaim the Night march on Friday, November 3, will be the first time the event has been run in Ballarat since 2013 when the Centre Against Sexual Assault organised a march in the wake of the murder of Jill Meagher.

The working group for this year’s event want to bring into focus the hope and healing a united community are able to bring to survivors of sexual assault and to send a clear message that people have a right to safety.

“Sometimes these events can be quite sombre and if you are a survivor going along it can be difficult so we want to be vocal, visible and something the whole community can connect with,” Lauren Hustwaite said. 

“It is an example of what we want out town to be, coming together in a safe space and what we want for Ballarat more broadly.”

The march will start at Alfred Deakin Place, take walkers along Lydiard Street and down sturt before retunring up sturt street and finishing at Trades Hall. 

Once at Trades Hall speakers, including federal MP Catherine King, will speak about the history of the event and what is being done in our society to curb sexual violence. 

Ms Fearon said it’s important that Reclaim the Night Ballarat is led by the community and that Ballarat resident get out to support the movement.

“It’s a grassroots movement so it is important the event is what everyone there makes it,” she said.

“We want people to bring their banners and bring drums and glow sticks, let’s make our voices heard.”

To find out more about the event visit the website, Facebook, or register your interest to attend.