MORE than 40 women and men from across West Dunbartonshire united to stand up for victims of sexual violence and harassment last week.

The Reclaim the Night march was organised by the Community Party in Alexandria, with women sharing their fears of walking alone at night in West Dunbartonshire and of experiences of abuse.

Campaigners marched from Vale of Leven Academy to the John Connolly Centre in Renton where they met staff from Clydebank Women's Aid.

The charity showed the film they debuted last year about coercive control, which will be part of domestic abuse laws from April.

Louise Robertson, who organised the event with the Community Party, said they wanted to discuss how to be supportive of each other and reduce the fear women feel.

Labour's Jean Anne Mitchell, who also attended the event, said: "I want to thank Clydebank Women’s Aid and all the women who attended and shared their personal experiences, women are so much stronger when we are united together.

"I would also urge any woman reading this story affected by domestic abuse to seek help by contacting the police, council or an organisation like women’s aid – they want to help you.”