Reclaim the Night

The University of Manchester Students’ Union is proud to announce, “Reclaim The Night,” an annual campaign dedicated to combatting sexual harassment and gender-based violence on the streets of Manchester. With the resounding mantra that “whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes, and no means no,” Reclaim The Night strives to unite students in a collective call for safer streets.

Reclaim The Night is more than just a march; it’s a movement led by students, for students, echoing the demands for improved street safety from women, girls, and marginalized genders everywhere.

This year’s campaign has three clear aims.

As part of its commitment to a safer Manchester, Reclaim The Night is advocating for three critical changes to support student and public safety in the city:

⦁ 24-Hour Student Bus Routes: Making bus routes 142 and 111 operational 24 hours a day to ensure that all students have a safe way home, regardless of the hour.
⦁ Safe Transport from Employers: Encouraging all employers of students within the city to guarantee safe transportation for their employees after late-night shifts, ensuring no one is left without safe options after work.
⦁ Inclusive Safety for All: Calling for the Women’s Nighttime Safety Charter to include trans people, recognizing that everyone deserves equal protection and respect.

A March to Amplify:
The centrepiece of Reclaim The Night is the march, scheduled for November 21st along the Oxford Road Corridor and into the city center. Thousands of students from diverse backgrounds come together each year to amplify the campaign’s message through powerful voices, placards, and a strong presence. The goal is to achieve safety and equality on the streets through collective action.

Beyond the March:
To deepen the understanding of the campaign’s purpose, Reclaim The Night encourages participants to engage in awareness events leading up to the march. These events provide opportunities to learn new skills, make connections, and grow confidence in championing the safety of women, girls, and marginalized genders.

Lobbying for Change:
The campaign seeks to address the often-overlooked issue of coercion, which encompasses harassment, guilt tripping, lying, fear and intimidation, and the abuse of power imbalances. Reclaim The Night calls for greater recognition of these forms of abuse, improved signposting and access to support services, enhancements to the reporting process, and unity across local charities, businesses, and universities.

Joining the Movement:
Reclaim The Night extends an open invitation to all who believe in equality and security for everyone. Whether by participating in the march, engaging in discussions, or supporting dynamic initiatives, everyone has a role to play in rewriting the narrative of safety and empowerment.

More Than a Single Event:
Reclaim The Night is not confined to a single event. It is a holistic campaign that combines the march, lobbying efforts, and community outreach to engrain its message in the collective consciousness. Join the movement and become a catalyst for change in creating a world where safety is a birthright, not a privilege.

Stand up, march on, and reclaim the night for everyone.