Corby women unite in after-dark walk to reclaim their streets

The campaign hopes to bring together women from across the town. Picture: Sally McIntosh

Dozens of Corby women have joined together this evening to light up no-go areas in the town.

Walking in groups of six, in line with coronavirus restrictions, women from across the town will leave their homes at different times over the weekend evenings and visit places across Corby that they may not usually go after dark, before lighting a candle.

The movement is part of an uprising of women attempting to reclaim the streets that they do not feel safe to walk along alone after dark. They are using the hashtag #reclaimthenightcorby

Nightlights and t-shirts have been designed by one member of the group.

They are placing nightlights, fairy lights and tealights in dark spots in a show of unity with both Sarah Everard, who was killed on her way home from a friend's house in London last month, and with other women from across Corby who have suffered from abuse or from sexual or violent assaults at the hands of men.

The idea originated with a local woman, who wants to remain anonymous, who started a women-only secret Facebook group last month with another friend as a local response to recent women's protests. It quickly grew to more than 2,000 people and women began to share their own moving stories about the crimes they had been victim to.

She said: "Hearing so many stories from different women cemented that fact that we need to act. We all have stories to tell and it's been so moving to hear them.

"This is about women coming together in solidarity and friendship.

It is hoped women will unite to light up no-go areas of Corby. Image: Sally McIntosh.

"We know that some group members have spoken to their neighbours for the first time because of this. Friendships are being formed.

One member of the group has made t-shirts and nightlights for other members to wear and another who is unable to attend has crocheted dozens of hearts. Others have joined up with women living in their own area who they have never met before to walk their streets together.

The group organiser added: "This has resonated with women because of what happened to Sarah Everard and to Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry last year, but also because of what we know happens on our own doorstep.

"We want to flood social media with our pictures so that we can make a big impact."