Member for Maitland and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jenny Aitchison MP, will participate in the Reclaim the Night march in Newcastle tonight.

Almost every week one woman is murdered by a current or former partner, one in five women experiences sexual violence in their lifetime and one in three has experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

“Australian women have participated in Reclaim the Night events since 1978 and women from the Hunter have a proud tradition of marching to protest for the right of women to be free from sexual violence and abuse,” Ms Aitchison said.

“Violence against women is such a widespread problem.”

“Every woman has the right to live their lives free from violence.”

“If we can commit billions of dollars to sports stadiums, we can put more into achieving true generational change in regard to violence.”

Jenny Aitchison MP will address the crowd along with Priscilla Fisher (End Rape on Campus), Jan McDonald (Carrie’s Place) and Helen Cummings (Former Newcastle Woman of the Year and Author of Blood Vows) from 6pm at Gregson Park, Steel Street, Hamilton. This will be followed by a march down Beaumont Street, live entertainment, food vendors and street stall.