Rotterdam night walk raises record sum

A night walk in Rotterdam against sexual violence has raised a record amount of money.

The fourth edition of the Nacht Tegen Seksueel Geweld brought in more than 300,000 euros. By the end of the night, the amount had passed 320,000 euros.

Nearly 2,300 people joined the walk. Participants walked 10 or 20 kilometres through the city, passing places where women may feel unsafe at night. The first walkers finished around 03.00, while the last participants arrived after 06.00. The night ended with breakfast in the Laurenskerk.

The event is about more than fundraising. It is meant to draw attention to street safety, sexual violence and the way public space feels for women and girls.

According to the organisers, one in four women in the Netherlands regularly feels unsafe on the street. Many women share their location for safety or choose a longer route if it has better lighting.

That makes the issue practical. Feeling unsafe can change how people move through a city. It can affect whether someone cycles home, takes public transport, walks alone or avoids certain streets.

The walk also points to a wider city issue. People who are new to a city may not know which areas feel safe at night, which routes are well lit or how public transport works late in the evening. Safety concerns can shape how welcome a city feels.

The money raised will be used for projects that make cities safer for women. These can include better street lighting, safer public transport and training aimed at changing behaviour among men and boys.

The event started in 2023 with a much smaller group and a much lower amount raised. The strong turnout this year shows that the subject remains urgent.

The message from the Rotterdam walk is clear. Safety is not only a police issue. It is also about lighting, transport, culture, behaviour and the right to move through public space without fear.