PEOPLE from Stroud have been invited to join a ‘Reclaim the Night’ march taking place through Gloucester City Centre next month.

Women will take to the streets of the city during the evening to speak out against rape and all forms of male violence against women.

The event organised by Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) will be held on November 25.

The march starts outside Shire Hall on Westgate Street at 6.15pm and finishes around 8pm at Gloucester Quays.

Women, men, boys and girls are welcome to join.

The Reclaim the Night marches started in the UK in the 1970s and became even more significant when Peter Sutcliffe began murdering women in and around Leeds.

In their response, police advised women to not go out at night, in turn encouraging women to unite together and campaign.

They organised marches and walked through the city streets to highlight that women should be able to walk the streets at night without fear or risk of harassment and sexual violence.

Approximately 85,000 women and 12,000 men are raped in England and Wales alone every year - roughly 11 rapes every hour.

Marches are normally held on the nearest Saturday to the 25th November to mark the UN Day to End Violence Against Women.

GRASAC offers free, confidential and non-judgemental support to girls aged 13+ and women who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.

The Helpline number is: 01452 526770. Confidential and anonymous email service support@glosrasac.org.uk