Sarah Everard case causes outbursts of women sharing stories of abuse in British streets

Sarah Everard case causes outbursts of women sharing stories of abuse in British streets

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Many also exchanged notes about the usual precautions they take to try to stay safe when walking alone – and expressed their anger and frustration that it feels necessary.

The fact that a serving Metropolitan police officer was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering Everard only contributed to the sense of threat. Police are searching for Everard, who was last seen on March 3 in Clapham, London. appears to be human remains in bushveld in Kent, confirmed the force late Wednesday.

But she added: “I understand this despite the fact that women in London and the wider public – especially those in the area where Sarah went missing – will be worried and possibly scared.”

According to police, police have warned house-to-house investigations that they should not venture alone, and some have called for this approach to only fuel the culture of guilt for victims.

The avalanche of social media response provides ample evidence of women’s concern and testifies to the toll that a lifelong vigilance on the well – being of women requires.

From taking a longer road home to avoiding streets with poor lighting to the possible need to flee while getting dressed for an evening out, women take ongoing risk assessments when walking alone, especially at night.

‘It’s not your fault for all the women who text their partner to let them know they are safe at home, and wear flat shoes at night so they can run when they need to, having keys in their hands ready to use. ‘ tweeted Anna Yearley, Joint Executive Director of Legal Action NGO Reprieve. “It’s never like that. So many of us have stories to be assaulted. It’s never our fault.”

Another Twitter user, Linda Redford, responded: ‘It’s a constant obsession of women and girls of all ages; I’m 74 and still go through the mental risk assessment every time I’m alone, especially not at night, alone. I taught the same to my daughters. Fear passed from generation to woman. “

Television and radio presenter Shelagh Fogarty posted a list from cases of sexual harassment starting at age 10 to her 50s, from home from school followed by a stalker. “This is what women face. This and worse. Throughout our lives. It’s not going to happen. It’s draining. It’s scary. It has to stop,” she said.

Other women responded with their own, similarly depressing lists. After posting her, Eleanor Johnston, a clinical psychologist, adds: “My early experiences are by no means unusual. What’s important to remember is that ‘men’ are not naturally dangerous! Some men are. If this conversation can help us all, “starting a conversation about calling out this behavior will make us all feel much safer.”

A handout from Sarah Everard, who was walking to her home in Brixton when she went missing.

Sexual harassment

While cases of kidnapping in the UK are relatively rare, new polls suggest that sexual harassment and abuse are not.

More than 70% of women surveyed by UN Women UK said they had experienced sexual harassment in public space. The figure rose to 97% among women aged 18 to 24, polls showed. The data, released on Wednesday, was obtained from a YouGov survey of more than 1,000 women commissioned by the UN Women UK in January 2021.

The organization’s poll also suggested that women have little confidence in public institutions to tackle the situation.

“Only 4% of women told us they reported the incidents of harassment to an official organization. 45% of women said they did not believe reporting would help change anything,” UN Women UK said. said.

One in four women in the UK will experience domestic abuse during her lifetime and one in five sexual assaults, according to an article published in 2019 by the Home Office.
Of course, women are not alone in feeling threatened on the street. According to the annual crime survey for England and Wales, published by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), it is likely that men are the victims of violent crime involving strangers and acquaintances.
But the government’s data shows that men are more likely to be prosecuted for violent actions against women and men. During the three-year period ending in March 2020, the vast majority of suspects convicted of murder were men – 93% of the total, according to a report by ONS on murder.

“No woman finds it shocking”

The outburst on social media in connection with the Everard case speaks volumes.

While some expressed frustration over the persistent blame of victims, others stressed how women are once again urged to change their behavior to stay safe, rather than giving the duties to men.

Georgia Ladbury, an infectious disease pathologist and candidate for the Women’s Equality Party in the forthcoming London elections, tweeted Tuesday: “Women in my area have been advised not to ‘go out alone’ while investigating Sarah Everard’s disappearance. What about the fact that we are asking men not to go out sooner? Say an evening bell against the evening?

“Maybe we would do more about street safety if men lost their freedoms, not women.”

In another tweet Thursday, she added: “No woman finds this shocking. Because we are constantly planning and planning to prioritize our safety. Meanwhile, men are just living their lives and having carefree conversations. The idea of ​​that kind of freedom is for intoxicating me. ‘

Police vehicles parked near Ashford in Kent on Thursday after the discovery of human remains in search of missing Sarah Everard.
Author Caitlin Moran made a similar point. “To be a woman: my ‘outside’ day ends at sunset. If I haven’t walked / jogged the dog by now, I can’t,” she said. tweeted. “In the winter, it often means the choice between exercise and work. Today I had to stop exercising at 4. My husband worked until 6 and now wants to run.”
Author and columnist Sarah Ditum tweeted on ‘men’s horror about the idea of ​​a man’s nightmare’, adding: ‘No one may restrict their freedoms because of the violence of a minority, except that women restrict our freedoms all the time because of the violence of a minority men – but freedoms are not for women, are they? ‘

Call to action

Men also took part in the conversation on Twitter, many in positive ways.

One tweet, by Stuart Edwards, is widely shared. “I live less than five minutes from where Sarah Everard went missing. Everyone is on their guard. Besides giving as much space as possible in quieter streets and keeping face visible, there is nothing else men can reasonably do to alleviate the anxiety / reduce ghost? factor? “he asks.

Women responded with appreciation that the question was asked and offered practical suggestions such as a man falling back or crossing the road to ensure a woman is not being followed, or to offer to walk a girlfriend home .

Meanwhile, lawmaker Jess Phillips, of the opposition Labor Party, called for tougher action against those who commit crimes against women, noting that convictions for the rape and prosecution of domestic abuse fell last year.

“We are not punishing crimes against women and children committed by men,” she said. tweeted. “Women must be able to walk the streets free from harm, fear and threat.”

Dick, the high-ranking London police officer, said there would be ‘continuous high levels of police patrols’ in the south London area where Everard was last seen, acknowledging the impact of a police officer’s alleged involvement on public confidence.

“Sarah’s disappearance in these horrible and bad circumstances is the worst nightmare of any family,” she said.

“The news today that it is a Metropolitan Police officer arrested on the murder of Sarah’s murder sent waves of shock and anger throughout the public and throughout the Metropole.”

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