Students have taken to the streets of Glasgow to Fight For The Night.
Working alongside Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis, over 150 students marched through Glasgow City Centre on November 23rd to demand action to make streets safer and show solidarity to survivors of rape and sexual assault.
The march concluded with a rally in George Square, with speeches from: Nabuweya White (Ubuntu Women Shelter), Shuwanna Aaron (NUS Scotland Women's Officer), Ghizala Avan (Amina Muslim Women's Resource Centre), Councillor Susan Aitken, Ruth Wilkinson (Women’s Equality Party), and Isabelle Kerr (centre manager for the Rape Crisis Centre in Glasgow).
The night also raised £200 for Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis; who provide a free and confidential support service to women and girls who have experienced rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse.
The march provided a starting platform to Strath Union’s 16 Days of Activism campaign. 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign to challenge gender based violence in all its forms. You can find out more about the campaign here.
Strath Union’s VP Diversity, Titi Farukuoye, said: “It is incredibly important to provide platforms for women, trans and non-binary people and those presenting as female to speak up against gender based violence & gender inequality.
“Fight for the Night is one night when we all come together to challenge everyday stereotypes and misconceptions around gendered and sexual violence.
“It is a night were we walk strong and fearless! A night, when we make ourselves hear loud and clear - thongs – and any of our clothing for that matter, is never a form of consent.
“When we say that services like Rape Crisis Glasgow Clyde must never loose essential government funding and be scared for their existence, when women, non-binary individuals but also some men face sexual assault, rape and domestic violence daily.
“We mustn’t get away with misogynistic victim blaming, but always believe the survivor.
“Sexual violence is an epidemic roaming our streets every night, every hour of the day, often in disguise, but often so brutal we would rather not see it – but it is always worth fighting against and that’s why we are here!
“United we stand! United we fight to end gender based violence.”