Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)—A Reclaim the Night event was held at the Warners Bay Foreshore on Friday 28 October.

Starting at the Warners Bay rotunda at six o'clock in the evening, the event was hosted by Lake Macquarie City Council and organised the Domestic Violence Committee, made up of representatives from Nova for Women and Children: Homelessness and Domestic Violence Service, East Lakes Family Support Services, and CALM.

The march saw people of all ages and genders come together to raise awareness of violence against women in our community and worldwide.

There were similar events around the region and across the country. I was invited to speak at the Reclaim The Night event at Gregson Park in Hamilton. Reclaim The Night started in the UK during the 1970s and has become a worldwide movement standing up against male violence against women.

This year's event was a stark reminder that sexual violence is still prevalent, and in fact reported rates of sexual assault and domestic violence are increasing. Unfortunately, the message of Reclaim The Night is as timely as ever.

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