Reclaim the Night vigil to highlight digital and online abuse of women

A candlelit vigil and women’s march will take place in Newquay this evening as the annual Reclaim the Night event returns to the town.

The Women’s Centre Cornwall is inviting people across the county to gather at the Killacourt bandstand from 6pm to honour women whose lives have been taken by male violence and to call for greater safety and freedom for women and girls.

This year’s event, part of the #UprootingMisogyny 16 Days of Activism campaign, is focusing on online and digital abuse. Organisers say misogyny is increasingly shifting into digital spaces, where women and girls are exposed to new forms of harm.

It marks the 21st consecutive year that Reclaim the Night has been held in Cornwall.

Jackie May, chief executive of The Women’s Centre Cornwall, said the event was a reminder of the scale of violence against women and girls. She said abuse online was “no less real or harmful” than abuse offline and required an urgent response.

The vigil will include a tribute to women and children who have lost their lives, followed by live music from Gabrielle Green, a performance by the Young Empowered Women’s Group, and spoken word poetry from women supported by the centre.

A women-only march through the town will begin at about 7:30pm, accompanied by local samba musicians. The vigil and performances are open to everyone, including men.

Organisers are encouraging attendees to wear or bring something red and to bring flowers, torches or lights.

The Women’s Centre Cornwall says violence against women and girls remains a significant issue across Cornwall, with an estimated 14,740 women experiencing domestic abuse each year and around 2,500 subject to rape or sexual assault.

PRESS PLAY as we hear from Beth Williams from The Women's Centre Cornwall...