Reclaim the Night, also known as ‘Take Back the Night’, is an annual, international event which campaigns against sexual violence towards women. Traditionally, Reclaim the Night (RTN) takes the form of a rally/march where the public hit the streets after dark and join together to take a stand against sexual violence. Since the 70s, when RTN first took place, the marches fought for women’s right to walk without fear of being assaulted at night.
Over the years, although the focus remains on sexual violence, RTN has evolved to include other forms of gender-based violence against women, transgender and gender-diverse persons.
RTN was first held in Australia in 1978 in Sydney and Perth. In Canberra, CRCC has been organising RTN events for many years, where women and their supporters march peacefully on the streets of Canberra to raise awareness of sexual violence.
This year, RTN Canberra will be held on Friday 25 October from 5pm at Glebe Park (Civic) with our theme being ‘ Believe Survivors’.
This year’s event will be broader and more community focused with the inclusion of market stalls from a number of community organisation who assist in the fight against sexual violence around the ACT and surrounding regions.
The event will include an address by our CEO Tiffany Karlsson, as well as speeches from representatives from With You We Can, The Athena Project, and Nguru – CRCC’s dedicated service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors.
Event Theme: Believe Survivors
Studies show that 90-98.8% of reports of sexual assault are found to be true disclosures, which is the same rate as for other violent crimes.
Survivors of sexual assault deserve to be heard, supported, and believed. Responses to surviviors’ initial disclosures other determine their future wellebing, recovery outcomes, and ultimately quality of life following sexual assault. Following a disclosure, survivors are forced to overcome a wide range of obstacles in order to feel safe and comfortable seeking help, to receive support through their process, or to potententially formally report their experience. Meeting a survivor’s story with empathy and belief is a valid response.
More than 1 in 3 girls living in Australia have experienced child sexual abuse (Australian Child Maltreatment Study, 2023).
More than 1 in 5 women living in Australia have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15 (Personal Safety Survey, 2022).
Out of those, only 7.7% of victim-survivors contacted police themselves (the police were contacted in relation to only 8.3% of sexual assaults [Personal Safety Survey (2022)]).
Given that many victim survivors so obviously do not feel safe to report their experiences to police, the prevalence rates of sexual violence in Australia are likely much higher in reality. Therefore, telling survivors that they are believed has less to do with the perpetrator’s “guilt” as determined by the criminal justice system and more to with supporting the survivor. Our criminal justice system is built on the premise that those accused of crimes should be protected. Whether someone is found guilty or innocent in the criminal justice system does not actually reflect whether or not a survivor’s story is true.
Believing survivors says nothing about a perpetrator’s innocence or guilt, but it says everything about how we view sexual assault.
Believing a survivor can empower them to heal and end the stigma around sexual assault. Social stigma and misplaced shame perpetuate victim-blaming culture.
Perpetuating rape myths is incredibly harmful and damaging.
Together we can transform the way we respond to disclosures, work towards changing the narrative and foster a safer community. Together we can call out the institutions that silence and dismiss survivors, and it all starts with believing.
To learn more about the issue and to support this cause, please join us for an evening of inspiring speeches, fun entertainment, park activities, a BBQ & coffee cart. The event is FREE and family friendly. An event safe space will also be available.
Event Location: Glebe Park Civic
Accessibility Notes
- Entry to the park is wheelchair accessible. Part of the event may take place over a large grassy area due to event permit specificity, however the park is criss-crossed with paved paths.
- Glebe Park Rotunda toilets have step free access via level paved pathway. There are both male & female toilets, one accessible cubcile with hand rail & back rest another smaller cubicle with handrail, urinal & accessible basins.
- Auslan interpreters will be available throughout the evening.
RSVP on the Facebook Event Page
Your RSVP helps us estimate the quantities of resources and merchandise required for the night.
Event Guests & Partners
Speakers
- Tiffany Karlsson – CRCC CEO
- Jordyn Gray – The Athena Project
- With You We Can
- Tanya Keed – Nguru: Support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Survivors
Entertainment
- Inez – Music performance
- Canberra School of Bollywood Dancing – Dance performances
Event Disclaimers
While RTN 2024 is a family friendly event, some attendees may experience distress during the event. If this happens to you, please approach a CRCC staff member for assistance. CRCC staff will be wearing a pink high-vis vest.
A photographer will be present at the event, and available to take group photographs. Photographs will be taken throughout the event, mainly of the speakers, entertainers, and event partners. If you are approached by a photographer, you can opt out of your photo being taken. Please speak with a staff member beforehand if you have any concerns.
CRCC Social Media
Share This Page
If you or someone you know needs support, reach out today.
National Support Services
1800 RESPECT: National Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Service
Available 24/7 PH: 1800 737 732 WEB: 1800respect.org.au
QLife: LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral
Available 3pm – midnight every day PH: 1800 184 527 WEB: QLife.org.au
Rainbow Sexual, Domestic & Family Violence Helpline (Formerly LGBTIQ+ Violence Service)
Available 24/7 PH: 1800 497 212
MensLine Australia: 24/7 online counselling support for men
Available: 24/7 PH: 1300 78 99 78 WEB: mensline.org.au
Kids Helpline
Available 24/7 PH: 1800 55 1800 WEB: kidshelpline.com.au
13Yarn: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support service
Available: 24/7 PH: 13 92 76 WEB: 13yarn.org.au
State & Territory Support Services
ACT: Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Available 7am – 11pm every day
PH: (02) 6274 2525 WEB: crcc.org.au
Queensland: Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline
Available 7.30am – 11.30pm every day
PH: 1800 737 732 WEB: click here for more QLD services
NSW: Statewide Sexual Violence Helpline
Available 24/7 PH: 1800 424 017 WEB: click here for more NSW services
Victoria: Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Available 5pm weeknights through to 9am the next day and throughout weekends and public holidays PH: 1800 806 292
WEB: click here for more VIC services
Northern Territory: Sexual Assault Referral Centre – Darwin
Available: 24/7 PH: 08 8922 6472 WEB: click here for more NT services
Western Australia: Sexual Assault Resource Centre
Available 24/7 PH: 1800 199 888 WEB: click here for more WA services
Tasmania: Sexual Assault Support Service
Available 24/7 PH: 1800 697 877 WEB: click here for more TAS services
South Australia: Yarrow Place – Rape and Sexual Assault Service
Available 24/7 PH: 1800 817 421 WEB: click here for more SA services
