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This section has a dual aim. On one hand, it provides groups who are considering staging an event for RTN, with some details about the experiences of other groups' planning and organisation. On the other, it also attempts to reflect and encourage a need for diversity in the approaches of both urban and rural groups to such RTN events. Whilst many RTN events are marked by the staging of a rally, march and celebration, this is not the only way women can act. In some communities, groups have felt that the numbers of women are too small to continue staging marches, or that in having small numbers it has meant that the occasion is too vulnerable for women. There may be other ways for you to express your outrage. In coming together with other women, you will identify the many creative ways you can respond Putting the philosophy into practice The philosophy of Reclaim The Night encourages grass roots participation in the organisation of - and attendance at events - by as many women as possible. In this way it is able to draw together women from diverse backgrounds and experiences to work together in addressing issues of sexual violence against women and children. In cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, Reclaim The Night has traditionally operated with a collective structure. A local collective can be responsible for the march and rally and begin meeting early in the year to undertake the tasks associated with the organisation of such large events. In rural areas those groups which have been involved in organising marches and events have tended to use a committee structure. In some towns the event has been organised by groups of women involved with local health and welfare services or women's organisations, with one service as the contact point for the event. In other communities the event is organised by women from the community, rather than paid workers. In many cases it is a combination of both. “You might need an organisation to make an event... to make the event even legitimate in women's eyes in a country town.” Sarah, Bathurst “The committee is auspiced by the Women's Centre but is an autonomous committee, which advertises for members each year.” Trish, Albury An advantage of involving services designated to prevent violence against women, is that funds and other resources can be made available where this is consistent with the organisation's guidelines. Another advantage is that it may enable the group to obtain funds without becoming ‘incorporated’. It can also provide anonymity to women, who in acting alone, may feel more vulnerable or exposed. Disadvantages include the possibility of compromising the autonomy and independence of the group by needing to defer to the aims and objectives and operational practices of the organisation. Where a number of organisations are involved it is important to be aware that the Reclaim the Night agenda can be subverted by the needs of one or more group. On the other hand, a coalition of women's services can work effectively to prevent the event being run by a particular service or an individual service agenda. While the resources available to some services are often crucial to the staging of a march in rural areas, it is important to involve women from the community in the organisation of events so as to maintain the grass roots essence of Reclaim The Night. “We decided to have a community development approach so that women have more control and are able to learn about the process of organisation." Trish, Albury "In a community I guess there's a lot of benefits from having an organisation be able to be the centre of organisation, 'cause you do have workers who, as part of their job, can take on aspects of the organisation. But to actually have women from the community come in, make decisions, be involved and decide how the event is going to be, that's very exciting and that's what it's about too". Sarah, Bathurst “You can't get off the ground without having access to phones and faxes, you need a contact place.” Dubbo Collective When to start Some groups have organised an event within 2-3 weeks, others have started meeting earlier in the year. Women advised to do what you can in the time available and with the resources you have. “Start about 4 months before. We had a working group of around 20, although not at every meeting.” Dubbo Collective " The working party started meeting in May and pulled in a lot of women ... need women from all walks of life .. Koori women, young women, older women. It takes a bit of energy to meet with various groups and explain why this is good for their organisation.” Rose, Lismore “Meet monthly to the end of August and do the preliminary jobs (e.g get application into police early), then meet weekly to cover the really practical housekeeping stuff.” Rose, Lismore How many people do we need? One problem often identified within rural areas is the small size of organising groups, which can result in burnout and exhaustion for the women involved. The event can take a lot of energy and time to organise. It is a good idea to make sure your organising group has enough women to undertake the number of tasks associated with the planning and staging of Reclaim the Night or limit the tasks to what is doable in the time, with the numbers of people available. “The committee consisted of 8 women who did what they could within the limits of only 10 days.” Gabriele, Wagga Wagga “In 1996 the committee consisted of 12 women. They included Women's Centre staff, a representative from the Sexual Assault service, and 7 women from the community.” Trish, Albury “The first year we started with around 40, which dwindled down to around 15. Need to look at how to sustain the working group from year to year as enthusiasm wanes.” Janne, Wollongong Who to contact “The community at large thinks of feminists as an homogenous group but we are as broad ranging as women can be and need to be representative of a very wide group.” Judith, Armidale Suggestions from groups of who to contact include:
Suggestions for ways to invite women to be part of the organising group Many groups have found it effective to go in person and talk to groups of women about the event and sexual assault issues, so that they can gain a good understanding of what to expect in becoming involved. This is particularly important for the involvement of Aboriginal women. Coff's Harbour group invited a key Aboriginal elder to be involved in the planning group. Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange invite local Aboriginal workers to become part of the organising group. “Go to the Aboriginal organisations, get Koori workers involved, involve liaison officers in schools, go out amongst them.” Sadie, Dubbo “Write to local organisations, especially women's organisations, explaining what the event is about and inviting both participants and speakers”. Dubbo Colletive Other suggestions for ways to invite different groups of women who may have not been involved in Reclaim The Night before are to:
Organising meetings It's important to hold meetings at times and in venues which ensure that as many women as possible are able to come along and participate. Women who do paid work, who are mothers, who live out of town, who don't have transport, are just some of the people to think about when deciding whether to have day, after work, night time or weekend meetings. Suggestions for things to discuss/ negotiate at initial meetings
“To have a herstory of the event, that's very important. To know why the event is the event it is. To know the scale of the event, to be able to tell people your joining an international movement. The issues around sexual assault, to have those facts and figures.” Sarah, Bathurst Getting Clear on the Issue Rural groups have staged marches and events using networks or organisations who's focus is directed towards other areas of violence affecting women. One of the concerns expressed by women in rural areas is that in using these networks other issues, such as domestic violence and violence against men, have become incorporated into the issue of sexual violence against women. Many women felt it important to not have other issues impinge on the objectives of Reclaim The Night, and have suggested using other opportunities and 'days of action' within the year to focus on other issues. "When you go to a protest you have to identify what you are doing very clearly, your aims and what you want - what are you protesting for or against." Janne, Wollongong Reclaim the Night as a Women and Children Only Event - See debate piece Whilst not every group has a women and children only event, these are the issues that women feel are important to consider before inviting men’s involvement: Reclaim the Night is about “the safety of women, to raise awareness, our strength together and the ability to survive in a rape culture. Our freedom to be on the streets, to feel powerful in the community and that women can bond” Janne, Wollongong “The purpose of a women-only space is to be inclusive of women - not exclusive of men. RTN sees women-only space as being of value on a personal level for the women who take part in it. Women who attend women-only events have commented on the beauty of the space, and the richness that connecting with other women gives their life. As the majority of the perpetrators of violence against women are men, women-only space can be a safe environment where strength can be derived from the energy of other women. It is also a space where women's experiences can be shared and heard and an opportunity to grow experienced. We see women-only space as playing a role in trying to create a more equitable society. Women-only space challenges the message that women are reliant on dominant power structures. It is also a practical reminder or demonstration that women have the resources to 'do it alone' or differently.” RTN Melbourne, 1996 "It is important to be clear about the aims of our protests in our communities and the principles which inform our practice. The wider community and particularly the media will challenge the principle of women's solidarity." Janne, Wollongong “For one night at least, women can feel totally safe in the presence of other women, can feel powerful and express themselves however they like without any danger.” Sydney RTN Collective, 1995 “It is the one night in a woman's life where she can join together with other women and know that she will get supported and do what she wishes to do on every other day.... and I think there's a lot of power in that... the women around you may have experienced something similar or they are understanding.” Sarah, Bathurst “The benefit of RTN here is that women who may actually be agoraphobic because of sexual assault come out and march. The women that march are so excited and empowered afterwards.” Trish, Albury “We (rural women) don't have many events like that in our lives, so I think that is what holds Reclaim the night together.” Sarah, Bathurst How groups have worked through this Some suggestions from women in clarifying the issue and purpose of Reclaim The Night are for organising groups to establish processes to assist women in discussing the aims and objectives of the event. Although RTN is traditionally a women and children only event, there has been a lot of controversy about the issue of men’s involvement in this event. Many groups view the issue of men’s involvement as a priority for discussion within the initial meetings of any organising group. In this way, it assists to bring the focus of the event back to the issue of sexual assault against women, and makes clear the history and intention of staging a march, rally or other action for Reclaim The Night.
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