Reclaim These Streets 2021

Trigger Warning: violence against women, sexual assault

The 'Reclaim These Streets' event took place on Thursday 4th November 2021, encouraging all to join together and march through the streets of Canterbury with the aim of showing solidarity with women and girls who have been victims of abuse and condemnation of violence against women and girls.

Our four sabbatical officers, along with other members of Christ Church Students' Union, joined the event with the common goal of creating safer streets and thank you to everyone who supported, cheered, clapped and beeped as 'Reclaim These Streets' progressed through Canterbury. 

The marchers showed strong support for all women, including trans women who face additional oppression in society. The message was clear: all women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people deserve to feel safe and protected on the streets of Canterbury and in all public spaces.

But...

Sadly the event also went to show what happens on a daily basis to women in public where they should feel safe.

These are just some of things we witnessed, on one evening no less, and it's a terrible indictment on society. 

• The drunk man who tried to touch a clearly uncomfortable young woman while she was *literally* on a march about women's safety and consent, then asked why there were no stats being read out about violence against men.
• The men who threw toilet paper at a group of people for daring to care about violence against women, whilst a pair of schoolgirls were recounting their experiences of sexual assault.
• The men who yelled and laughed during a 2 minute silence for the women who have died as a result of male violence.
• The men who threw an egg at our group in an act of random aggression just for attending the march.

These kind of acts are never okay: they are assault, sexual assault and sexual harassment and are no way anyone should be treated in society. That is why we all need to call it out, report it, keep raising awareness, and keep protesting. It's not going to change overnight, but let's ensure the inequality isn't forgotten about or easily dismissed.

Report Harassment: Report and Support

Sexual violence, sexual harassment, relationship abuse, bullying, harassment and hate crime are never ok. All students should be able to enjoy their time at Christ Church free from harassment of any kind. If you or someone you know has experienced harassment you can report it via Report and Support and be able to access the support that you need from one of specialist advisers.