News / Sexual Harassment
Anti-sexual harassment march lights up Bristol
Dozens of women, girls and men marched through the streets of Bristol demanding an end to sexual harassment against women.
Participants of the Shine a Light Parade walked from Castle Park and the Victoria Rooms to the harbourside whilst banging drums, holding up glow sticks and chanting together.
On their way, one group of protesters paused by the former Bank of England building to which its newly-painted message succinctly sums up the Bristol Nights-run campaign: ‘If it’s unwanted, it’s not OK’.
is needed now More than ever
As the the two cohorts convened at Lloyds Amphitheatre, the atmosphere was electric as the parade filled with light, neon colours and music brought the Bristol night to life.
“It’s Shine a Light Parade – and it’s to end male harassment against women,” retorted the leader of the procession when a passer-by rose his eyebrow.
As the darkness unfolded, the parade ended with a bang as music was played by female and non binary DJ collective, Booty Bass.
The march on Thursday evening aimed to “shine a light” on sexual harassment and demonstrate a zero tolerance approach towards it.
Lloyds Amphitheatre became the setting for a speech, poem recital and DJ set once the marching came to an end – photo: Rob Browne
It comes as the first ever Women’s Safety Charter was launched last week as a way to urge employers to prioritise women’s safety by signing up.
Development of the charter has been led by Bristol Nights working alongside Bristol City Council, night-time venues and Avon & Somerset Police.
Bristol’s nighttime economy adviser, Carly Heath, said that “improving the safety of women at night is vital and is a challenge which cannot be achieved without allies throughout the city”.
“We know that many crimes against women at night go unreported but are widely witnessed. This campaign invites bystanders to call out unwanted behaviour, while empowering those working in the nighttime economy to recognise and execute a zero-tolerance response to harassment in their venues and workplaces.”
The new campaign is part of a response to the damming results of a recent survey – finding that 100 per cent of women in Bristol have experienced sexual harassment in some way.
Funding for charter came from the Home Office’s Safety of Women at Night Fund, costing £282,000.
Booty Bass are a female and non binary DJ collective – photo: Rob Browne
Pub-goers along the water were treated to a parade of music and light – photo: Rob Browne
One cohort of participants started their march at The Victoria Rooms on Queens Road – photo: Rob Browne
Protesters paused on Pero’s Bridge – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne
Read more: New paint job on old Bank of England building
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