Southsiders stage anti-rape march

These Streets Were Made for Walking starts at Queens Park, on Victoria Road

Anti-rape march These Streets Were Made for Walking is organised by southsiders Amanda Johnston and Ashley Crossan, to “send a message to both the perpetrators and the authorities”.

Amanda and Ashley said: “We’re both young female residents of the southside and are tired of harassment and the fear of assault being part of our daily lives.

“We are tired of being told when we can and cannot walk around our own neighbourhoods as a ‘preventative measure’.

“What we’re suggesting is that we stop putting the onus on the victim and what they can do to be ‘responsible’ for their own safety, and instead focus the blame where it should be.”

The peaceful march takes place on Monday (June 9), leaving from Queens Park’s Victoria Road gates at 11.45pm — Police Scotland and Glasgow city council have been notified.

Over 3,300 men and women have clicked attending on the Facebook page, and the organisers are encouraging walkers to donate money to www.rapecrisiscentre-glasgow.co.uk.

Among the walk’s supporters is Extra reader Amanda Jane Heavey, from Barrhead.

The 30-year-old told The Extra: “I used to live in Govanhill and always considered it my safe place. To see what’s happening there now is appalling. It’s not a safe place to be any more and that deeply saddens me.

“The walk is a great way to show support to the victims of these horrendous crimes and to the southside community. I’m really hopeful the walk will make people take notice.”

The southside march follows the serious sexual assault of a 24-year-old woman in Govanhill on May 19, around 12.30am.

Police have released CCTV footage of two men seen in the area who may be able to assist the investigation — the footage is available online at bit.ly/1nKreqE, and anyone with information is asked to call non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The Govanhill incident followed a 33-year-old woman being attacked in Toryglen on May 10, and police are also investigating the sexual assault of a 35-year-old woman at Kelvingrove Park last Friday (May 30).