Women should be able to walk without worry

It’s 45 years since the first Reclaim the Night march was held in the UK. Much has changed in that time. But the turnout at last night’s Reclaim the Night demonstration in Dundee suggests society still has far to go.

The aim of that first protest in 1977 was to highlight male violence against women, spurred on partly by the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.

However, the real catalyst was the advice given by police in Leeds that women should stay indoors and out of public spaces after dark while the killer was on the loose.

Expecting women to change their behaviour in order to protect themselves from harm is no more acceptable today than it was in 1977.

And while it is admirable that so many people were prepared to brave the cold to march with placards from Magdalen Green to the V&A Dundee, it is a pity they still have to do so.

Last night’s march sent a clear message – women should be able to walk the city streets without fear of assault.

And it provided a platform for the great many local organisations doing valuable work to support survivors and raise awareness of the issues that many women face daily.

It is a good thing they are there to address the harms caused by gender-based violence and a sad reflection they must still exist at all in 2022.