Women in Dorchester will be taking back the night at an event to highlight domestic and sexual abuse.

Organised by Women’s Action Network Dorset (WAND), the annual ‘Reclaim the Night’ event will see activists march through the streets of Dorchester to protest street harassment, domestic abuse, rape and honour-based violence against women. 

Councillor Molly Rennie, chair of the Domestic Abuse Forum said: “The whole thing is about the fact women should be able to go out whenever and wherever they want, free of fear of being harmed in any way.”

The march will take place tonight to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which also kicks off 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence.

Participants will meet at Dorchester Town Hall at 6.30pm with the march taking place at 7.30pm. 

Afterwards there will also be a drumming workshop and charity auction to raise funds for the West Dorset Woman’s Refuge and the Shores, Dorset’s dedicated sexual assault referral centre. 

Event organiser Emma Scott said: “Domestic abuse is one of the most prevalent crimes we have in Dorset. There is a lot of stress on people in the UK at the moment and unfortunately when times are stressful, domestic violence becomes more frequent.

“Abuse is a hidden crime, it could be happening to your friend or neighbour so we need to highlight the issue,” she said. 

The event is not female exclusive and organisers stressed anyone no matter age or gender wishing to contribute towards ending violence against women was welcome. 

“It’s been going for about nine years now and and always gets such a fantastic response from the community,” Emma said. 

According to Reclaim The Night London, marches started in the UK in 1977, and now take place across England in Leeds, York, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Brighton and London.

Cllr Rennie said: “Our march will be nothing like the size of the events in the likes of Manchester and Brighton but the important thing is for us to do it and be seen doing it. It’s important for women to know there is such things going on and there is a strength of the sisterhood, strength of the group together and they are not alone.”

Reclaim the Night takes place at the Town Hall in Dorchester tonight from 6.30pm-10.30pm. 

Tickets priced £3 can be bought on the door.

For more information or to make a donation to the charity auction email wanddorset@gmail.com or call 07956 896114.