More than 100 protesters joined together for a Reclaim the Night march along the Waterfront to call for the end of violence against women.

The crowd gathered at Dance East on the evening of Thursday, December 8, and walked toward the University of Suffolk buildings, chanting: "We have the power, we have the might. The streets are ours, take back the night."

Ipswich Star: Isabelle Booth is organiser of Reclaim The Night Ipswich and also the helpline and volunteer co-ordinator for Suffolk Rape Crisis.Isabelle Booth is organiser of Reclaim The Night Ipswich and also the helpline and volunteer co-ordinator for Suffolk Rape Crisis. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Isabelle Booth, organiser of Reclaim The Night Ipswich, said: "We are here tonight to raise our voices to end violence against women and girls.

"We want to take back the streets so that women know they are safe and that they can be anywhere they want to be."

Ipswich Star: More than 100 protesters gathered for the Reclaim The Night march at the Waterfront.More than 100 protesters gathered for the Reclaim The Night march at the Waterfront. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Leesha Daniels, Women's Officer for Suffolk University's Students' Union, said: "I'm here tonight because students need a voice in raising our anger at gender-based violence.

"As the University of Suffolk continues to grow and more students come to Ipswich, it's all the more important to ensure that we're safe here."

Ipswich Star: Leesha Daniels, Women's Officer for Suffolk University's Students' Union.Leesha Daniels, Women's Officer for Suffolk University's Students' Union. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Ms Daniels pointed to the lack of lighting along the Waterfront, highlighting the poignance of the route for this year's march.

Rebekka Bunting has received help from Suffolk Rape Crisis in the past and said she was marching to thank the organisation for their support and added: "All of them are brilliant."

Ipswich Star: Sonya Bunting with her daughter Rebekka, who has received help from Suffolk Rape Crisis.Sonya Bunting with her daughter Rebekka, who has received help from Suffolk Rape Crisis. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Her mum, Sonya Bunting, said: "I've lived in Ipswich most of my life. It's changed a lot since I was a kid and there are definitely certain areas that I wouldn't go myself."

Graphic design student Kiera Blake brought her friends along to the protest as she always has to be "a bit too cautious" on nights out.

Ipswich Star: Graphic design student Kiera Blake (right) brought her university friends along to the protest.Graphic design student Kiera Blake (right) brought her university friends along to the protest. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

"There's always people to watch out for," she added.

"I'd like there to be more awareness and solidarity with the women here."

Aerospace design engineer by day, Sally Vaughan volunteers on the Suffolk Rape Crisis helplines in her spare time and was present to offer guidance to those in attendance.

Ipswich Star: Suffolk Rape Crisis volunteer Sally Vaughan brought her partner Nathan Hellyer and their nine-year-old daughter Isla.Suffolk Rape Crisis volunteer Sally Vaughan brought her partner Nathan Hellyer and their nine-year-old daughter Isla. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Her partner, Nathan Hellyer also brought along their nine-year-old daughter Isla who enjoyed the chanting and wanted to "come and support people with [her] mum and dad".

As the march ended at the University of Suffolk, the crowd poured inside for speeches and performance poetry.

The group then held a vigil with a two-minute silence to remember those who have experienced sexual violence.