Join Reading march to end violence against women
22 November 2023
Colleagues are invited to join a White Ribbon Day march in Reading town centre this Friday evening, calling for an end to men’s violence against women and girls.
The Reclaim the Night march begins at Reading Town Hall on Friday 24 November, starting at 18:00 and ending at 20:00.
Staff, students and members of local organisations are all due to take part in the march through the town. The march ends at Reading Minster for speeches by Reading Students’ Union Welfare Officer Ish Aa Sujau, Women’s Officer Veronica Ngoma, and others working with charities to tackle violence against women.
Like at other marches happening nationwide on Friday, women and non-binary people are invited to march in solidarity with those who feel unsafe at night due to the threat of violence.
There is no need to sign up, just arrive at Reading Town Hall from 18:00. Appropriate banners are welcome.
Reading Students’ Union has been involved in the organisation of the march, having run events for students throughout the week leading up to White Ribbon Day.
These include drama performances, a self defence class, banner and ribbon-making on Thursday ahead of the march, and a mixed charity football match on the Queen’s Drive pitches on Whiteknights campus at 4pm on Saturday.
Support for staff
Any colleague who is concerned about harassment or other negative behaviours can now report this to the University, anonymously if you wish, using our Report and Support online platform.
The University is supporting the national Enough campaign, which calls on everyone to take a stand against abuse against women and girls, and to step in if they see it happening.
Advice on how to do this safely is available through Active Bystander training, which colleagues can sign up on UoRLearn.
The Enough website includes further advice on when and how to intervene if you witness abusive or harmful behaviour.
Colleagues affected by this issue can visit our Health and Wellbeing webpages for more information and support, including free and confidential support, day or night, through our Employee Assistance Programme.