Women and supporters from Brecon and its surrounding areas were not deterred by the dark as they came together to remember Sarah Everard.

The group looking to “reclaim the night” is also saying that women should be free from harassment and violence whether it be in the home, workplace or out in public.

Led by Brecon Town Councillors Liz Rijnenberg and Cllr Michaela Davies, the candlelit vigil began at the canal basin in Brecon before following a trail through the town and finishing with a gathering and a one minute silence at the Guildhall.

There was a strong turnout in the town on the night of Saturday, March 5, and the crowd was marching with signs and candles.

The crowd was addressed by Brecon resident Liz Jenkins who said: “Recent research had identified that three out of four of women didn’t feel safe on the streets and more than 72 per cent of women said they were scared to walk home in the dark with 44 per cent of women in the 18 to 24 year old age group experiencing threatening behaviour from men in the last year alone.

“By any standards these are truly shocking figures. The MeTooMovement brought out thousands of women to tell their stories of harassment, rape and sexual assault that were seen by the perpetuators as nothing out of the ordinary.

“Some have been brought to justice, many have not. These same research studies show that men, more than women, blame women for being harassed and endorse negative views about women that help limit the culpability of male perpetrators.”

Addressing the gathering Cllr Michaela Davies highlighted that while it is just over a year ago that Sarah Everard was murdered, 125 women have since been killed in the UK by men or where a man is the principle suspect. She said: “To put it in real terms that equates roughly to one woman murdered by a man every three days.

“Vigils and gatherings such as this are just one of many significant steps to send the message that women will not be blamed for the violence inflicted on us and we will not give up our right to walk our streets in safety.”

The vigil was comprised of all age groups and from across the community including church representatives. They were supported by the Mayor of Brecon, Cllr John Powell and Town Councillors Matthew Dorrance, Rob Thomas and Mark Perry.

Joint co-organiser Cllr Liz Rijnenberg said: “Michaela and I would like to thank everyone who turned out tonight and we appreciate that support. Let us be clear though that harassment and violence against women is perpetrated by men and it is the mindset and behaviour of those men who feel they are justified in what they do that needs to change.

“We also recognise that young men in public, particularly the 18-25 year old group are at high risk of physical assault from other men and that is something that is truly appalling and needs to change. What Reclaim the Night is about is getting over the message that the constant invidious belittling, humiliating, mental and physical assaults perpetrated against women of all ages needs addressing now.

“The fact that so many women continue to be attacked in these ways shows that sadly too little seems to have changed in the year since Sarah’s death but we will not be cowed or silenced.

“And if anyone wants to know why we will continue to hold such vigils the response is simple,” added Cllr Rijnenberg.

“It is about human rights and the right to live in safety. No one should ever forget that when Sarah Everard was brutally attacked, raped and murdered all she was doing was just walking home.”