Hundreds of students, parents and children marched through the streets of Sheffield this week to highlight the ongoing issue of violence against women.

Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union held the “Reclaim The Night” march around the city centre on Monday 25.

It took place on the same day a report by UN Women declared violence against women and girls to be a ‘national emergency’ in the UK.

The report revealed that at least 51,000 women and girls were killed intentionally by men in 2023, a figure that they claim is only the “tip of the iceberg”.

South Yorkshire Police’s top reported crime in October 2024 was ‘Violence and Sexual Offences’, with over 200 reports over the month.

Abi Marchant, the Event Organiser of the march, said: “A lot of students came to me saying that they did not feel safe. This is the case whether they’re on public transport, walking or if it’s night or day. A lot of women are just really scared to go anywhere.

“We thought a ‘Reclaim The Night’ march was the perfect way to bring people together and allow people to express their feelings. We wanted to make sure that as many students as possible felt like they had a way to express their voice and make sure they were heard.”

The event, which started outside Sheffield City Hall, included speeches and poems speaking out about violence.

Flo Rushtom, Co-Founder of Catcalls Of Sheffield, an anti-harassment group in the city, said: “Having people show up in the streets as a visible sign of resistance against gender-based violence and showing that there is a community of people who care is really important.

“Whenever I walk home from West Street a man will try to talk to me. Often there is just this innate expectation that it’s going to happen at some point in your walk. When you’re on your own and it’s dark you’re waiting to be catcalled or approached on the street.”

The ‘Reclaim The Night’ movement started in Leeds in 1977.

Sarah Lahreche, Business Technology and Engine College Officer at Hallam Students’ Union, said: “I walk around Sheffield at speed with one headphone in and one out. I look behind me every two seconds, especially when it’s quiet.

“We are here to reclaim our streets because it’s not fair that we still have to put up with sexual harassment and violence in this day and age.”

Holly Pemberton, Social Sciences and Arts College Officer at Hallam Students’ Union, said: “You have to be aware. Keep your wits about you. Don’t walk down dark streets, don’t walk late at night on your own. There are probably things that women and girls do that men don’t realise. It’s just common unfortunately.

“We’ve all got similar stories. Being followed or shouted at or having the feeling that you’re being watched, it’s not ok.”

November 25 marked the start of the ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ international campaign that runs from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), with various events scheduled in Sheffield over the next two weeks.