Following the tragic murder of Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens on the 3rd of March 2021, staying safe in London, especially for women, is an ever-looming fear. In March, Couzens falsely arrested Everard, under the pretences that she was breaking covid protocols. In the words of the prosecution Couzens “was hunting for a young lone female to kidnap and rape” and Sarah tragically became his victim. He drove her to Kent where he raped and murdered her. This story is tragic and chilling, especially for a young, independent woman living in Clapham.
Sarah Everard’s death caused an extreme response from young women. Many documented on social media the precautions they take to keep safe at night. They’d hold their house-keys tightly between their knuckles or dress more demurely if they know they will be walking along a road alone at night. Unfortunately, I find myself, as a young woman, taking the same safety precautions intuitively as I have the same fears. I take the long route with friends to minimise the time I’m walking alone. Indeed, I would always try and walk a friend home and send the obligatory ‘Did you get home alright?’ text once they’ve left. I favour lit paths and busy roads over of dark, lamp-less backstreets and would almost always take an Uber instead of walking anywhere (if I can afford it).
I find these practises tedious and sad. Indeed, in March 2021, after Sarah’s disappearance, many women in Clapham were visited by the police warned not to go out alone at night. This was highly frustrating for women. The Reclaim These Streets campaign fought back and organised a vigil for Sarah on Clapham Common, protesting that women should not have to feel unsafe anymore. This directly placed the blame on the perpetrators of these crimes. It held the men who commit violence against women responsible instead of asking women to hide from these predators.
In the wake of the Sarah Everard tragedy, the women in London are on high alert, even one year later. Unfortunately, we still live in a society where this is a terrifying danger for young women and these horrific incidents still happen. As a feminist, I find myself in an endless dichotomy of taking precautionary measures to keep myself safe at night while simultaneously being frustrated that I have to. This is a universal experience for women. After hearing Everard’s mothers’ statement, my own mother has reminded me countless times to be vigilant and to order in an Uber if its ever late at night. Indeed, since Everard was abducted, 52 women have been killed where a man has been the main suspect. This begs the question; will women continue to live in fear of sexual violence and murder while just trying to enjoy an evening out?
The tragedy of Sarah Everard brought violence against women and the Reclaim Our Streets campaign to the forefront of women’s minds, yet this has not changed anything in my opinion. I still panic when Uber tells me they have no cars available, and still call my friends when I am walking alone at night. This issue has not gone away, and I believe it will not for a long while.
London Living 