Ipswich March Demands Fairer Deal for Women and Girls in Community

People marched for a safer Ipswich. The march happened on Thursday night by the Waterfront. It felt resolute and determined. This was the first march in over a year. The last one was in December 2023, and Suffolk Rape Crisis led that prior march.

The organization closed last year, leaving a void in the community. They provided support to women and girls who suffered from sexual violence. No march took place during 2024; however, the University of Suffolk’s student union stepped up and organized the event this time.

Students, women, and girls all joined, with many other people from the community coming too. Ipswich Borough Council representatives attended, and men and boys also held signs. They demanded a safer Ipswich for everyone.

Shannon Priestley, the university’s women’s officer, spoke about improvements, mentioning better lighting along the Waterfront. However, she noted the area still feels intimidating at night. She believes women’s rights are human rights and justifying marches shouldn’t be necessary.

The march started at the university and people walked along the Waterfront. They continued down St Peter’s Street, ending on the Cornhill where they held a candlelit vigil. There, Katie Prichard, the student union’s president, thanked everyone for their support.

Professor Jenny Higham, the university’s vice-chancellor, also spoke. Higham highlighted the university’s work, championing the plight of women and girls, and supporting research into sexual violence. Dionne Walton, the student union’s chief executive, then addressed the crowd.

Walton gave everyone a “call to action,” stating that decision makers must include diverse voices and people with lived experiences at the table. She emphasized that leaders must promote a culture of safety, which is not up for debate.