Before I get into this article, I just want to say to my female readers that if you are one of the 97% who has been in some way assaulted that I appreciate how distressing hearing about Sarah Everard’s case may have been for you. I completely understand if you want to click away. For my male readers, please I urge you to continue reading because this is not just an issue that a few face, but a common reality for most women.
Whilst many of us have been in the safety of our homes the last year, I think many of us perhaps even forgot about the daily fears that women face. Personally, I know that I have always felt invincible. I can do anything I want. I can go anywhere I want. I can be anything I want #girlpower. However, the irony of celebrating International Women’s day on the 8th of March, and simultaneously hearing about Sarah, does not terrify or shock me. It sickens me, yes. It makes me angry, for sure. But, how come I am not surprised that another girl has met a tragic end because all she did was walk home alone?
I think many of us are deluded to the fact that ‘oh, it was a rough part of town’ ‘it was getting dark’ ‘she should’ve worn better clothes’ ‘things like this happen in cities’. But why are these statements used as justifications to crime? Are you telling me I shouldn’t be able to walk home (at mere 9pm) without fearing that I might be a victim of a violent crime?
Sarah’s case got me thinking of my own life. What felt weird to me was that I have done all those things subconsciously before. In my third year of university, I lived in a townhouse that was across a bridge from the town centre. Although close to town, and the hustle and bustle of safety, the bridge felt scary. Whilst some viewed that bridge as an aesthetic Instagram spot that answered all your golden hour wishes; to me, it was the perfect scene for a crime. Numerous times, I walked with keys in my hand or clenched my fists in case someone grabbed me. Or, asked a male friend to walk me home. I thought how perfect it would be for any criminal, there is a river right here. It would be a perfect crime and no one would know.
I never actively thought about these things but would laugh it off at parties telling my friends about how I walked with keys in my hands like I was Wolverine. How silly I was being. Yet, over this last week, with women’s despair for Sarah’s case, I actually learned that it wasn’t just me. So many women do the same. They fear that a simple walk to their homes could be the difference between life and death.
What do we do? What should we do? Sarah’s story will become history and before you know it, we will forget about it. We will continue being subconsciously fearful. A good article or blog ends with a resolution or a solution. But sadly, I have nothing else to add. We will continue to doubt ourselves and ask ‘Was it something I did wrong?’. We will continue living until we hear about another Sarah. It’s frightening and terrifying, but not at all shocking. It could be her. It could be them, or, it could be you.
BBC’s article on Sarah Everard’s case: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56368531
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