PEOPLE in Ayr are being urged to head to Ayr Academy this week to take part in a march helping raise awareness of violence towards women and girls.

The Reclaim The Night rally in the town was originally scheduled to take place in December as a part of 16 days of international activism against gender-based violence, but was called off because of bad weather. 

Organised by the South Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership, it will now take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 8 - International Women's Day.

The march will begin at Ayr Academy at 5.30pm and will travel through the town centre via University Avenue, Craigie Way, Craigie Avenue, John Street and Ayr police station on to Main Street.

Marchers will then cross over the Old Brig before heading back to Ayr Academy via Sandgate, Boswell Park, Gaiety Theatre, Wallace Tower, High Street, Kyle Street, Central Arcade, Smith Street, under the bridge to Mill Street, past the fire station and back on to Craigie Road, then through lane at the woods on to University Avenue and back to the school.

Ms Brown attended a Sarah Everard memorial at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

Ms Brown said: “The reality of walking home in the dark is often too great a threat for women. The horrendous cases concerning Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa are all fresh in our minds. This type of crime happens on our doorstep. When women are being told not to go out alone it’s time to say enough is enough.

“Women should be able to walk the street at night without the fear of facing violence. I know women, including myself, who refuse to listen to music at night, who carry their keys in their hands as protection and who wear personal alarms. This must end.

“Woman and girls must stand together to Reclaim the Night, with a show of unity and strength. It’s also a time to honour those who no longer have a voice and to challenge the myths around sexual violence. Blame must always lie with the perpetrator.” 

The rally is not only for women to attend.

“It’s important that men stand with women as they march," Ms Brown added.

"We need their support and we need them to challenge misogynistic and sexist behaviour in their friends.

“I would urge anyone experiencing any kind of violence to seek help and, to everyone else, please look out for the signs that could potentially save a life.”

The rally is open to all and Police Scotland will be in attendance.