Everyone in Dorset is invited to join WAND for its annual Reclaim the Night event on Saturday 28th November from 7pm-10.30pm at the Town Hall in Dorchester.
WAND – Women’s Action Network Dorset – is hosting the night to link in with “International End Violence Against Women Day” held each year on 25 November.
Tickets cost £3, to be bought on the door, and include a drumming workshop with the wonderful Organic Rhythm, a buffet supper and a charity auction. The main event of the evening will be a short march through the Dorchester streets to ‘Reclaim the Night’.
WAND chair Susan Bickle explained “The march through the streets is a way of raising awareness of the vulnerability faced by many women through domestic violence and abuse, rape, honour based violence, and practises such as female circumcision”.
The money raised from the auction will go to the West Dorset Woman’s Refuge to pay for an outing and some gifts for the kids, but most importantly it will allow the children to buy a present for their mums just from them. Last year we raised over £500 at event (including a couple of generous donations).
Tracey West, local author and broadcaster and proud Patron of the Women’s Action Network Dorset says she always looks forward to attending this liberating and vibrant event.
She explains, ‘Over the past few years, we’ve been served with every kind of weather for the walk and I find it an interesting comparison to the way it feels to live in a domestic abuse relationship. Sometimes, there’s a need for sunglasses to hide bloodshot, tear-filled eyes. Other times, cold hard rain penetrates your soul like the searing pain of a deep tissue bruise and often, vicious winds cut right through your head, as though they were razor sharp words laced with vitriolic poison.’
‘I cannot imagine life without the comforting knowledge that we are lucky enough to have a safe refuge for women and children here in Dorset. It’s a haven, a breathing space and a safe place to gather thoughts and start the healing process. The Reclaim the Night event is undoubtedly a crucial fundraiser for the refuge but it’s a terrific evening in its own right and it provides a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of this important issue’.
‘I look forward to the day we announce the need to close the facility because domestic violence is a thing of the past. Until then, I shall do all I can to spread the message about this incredible resource and, with absolutely no shame, I ask if there’s anything you’d consider kindly donating to our auction to help.’
This year we are welcoming anyone who wishes to contribute towards ending violence against woman – so this will not be a female only event – it is open to everyone.
While WAND recognise that domestic violence doesn’t just affect women and that men can also be subjected to it, as a women’s organisation Reclaim is still focussed on support for women.
“So please come along to our friendly event which promises a fun evening despite its serious message”.
If you would like to make a donation to the charity auction please contact [email protected]. More information is available at https://wandwomen.org.uk.
For more information call Emma Scott on 01305 252204
or email [email protected]
