Barnaby Weston for City News
Members of the public, survivors and victims, marched across Tower Bridge in solidarity.

Members of the public joined forces with survivors of sexual offences for a national awareness campaign.

In aid of the fourth annual Sexual Violence awareness week, supporters aimed to “light up the night” in the capital.

They brought glow sticks, torches and neon clothing for their march which began at the Tower of London.

The event moved through Tower Bridge and ended at City Hall with a brief moment of reflection.

My Voice. No More Silence

Founder Yehudis Goldsobel said she started working towards an awareness week after she grew frustrated working in the charity sector.

“I realised that any campaign or media attention was in response to anything happening, whether it was a law change, or someone was arrested.

“I felt the subject deserved a week in our calendar so we can openly talk about it, to promote awareness and prevention,” continued Goldsobel.

Lorraine Simcox is a survivor of a sexual offence and now runs a survivors’ support group called “My Voice. No More Silence.”

“We started off small. We wanted it to stay small but with the amount of abuse and violence going on it’s just grown and grown and grown.

“They just want something done. So they come to the group, fill out the forms and then give us their story,” explained Simcox.

Getting the message out

Representatives from the Mayor’s office, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police were also in attendance.

Richard Unwin is a sexual offence investigation techniques officer. However, he is just the single point of contact within the Met for anyone  reporting a sexual offence.

“We’re encouraging anyone who’s been subjected to serious sexual violence to talk to us. If not to us to one of our partners or critical allies.

“We are getting the message out that it’s not OK to sexually exploit or abuse anybody at all,” Unwin explained.

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