Ensuring the safety of women is now a critical priority, with numerous lives impacted and lost due to violence.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council labeled the level of violence against women and girls as a “national emergency” in July 2024. Following the release of the Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 report, it is evident that not much has changed since the tragic death of Sarah Everard.
The inquiry was initiated after the murder and assault of 33-year-old Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens on March 3, 2021. Couzens was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole-life order on September 30 of the same year.
This incident marked a significant turning point for women’s safety. The landscape shifted in March 2021 when Metropolitan Police Chief Cressida Dick revealed the arrest of a Metropolitan police officer in connection with Sarah Everard’s murder. The Metropolitan Police faced criticism for their handling of a vigil for Sarah Everard.
Women in the UK found themselves in a dilemma, feeling unsafe on the streets and even within the police force, whose duty is to safeguard the public. The Angiolini Inquiry highlights that even female police officers have had to modify their routines and behaviors to enhance their safety.
The inquiry delved into broader issues surrounding policing and the safety of women, stemming from cases like Couzens’ and that of former police officer David Carrick, convicted in February 2023 on multiple charges. The report emphasizes the need to explore preventive measures against sexually motivated violence targeting women and girls in public areas.
The report points out that society has normalized sexual harassment and the heightened alertness women experience, especially at night, in parks, public transport, and any public space where they feel vulnerable to sexually motivated crimes.
A United Nations survey of 1,000 UK women revealed that 71% had encountered sexual harassment in public spaces during their lifetime, with a higher rate of 86% among women aged 18 to 24.
Half of the women surveyed for the Angiolini Inquiry reported feeling unsafe in the last three years due to someone else’s actions. Among women aged 18 to 24, 76% expressed feeling unsafe in public because of the actions of men.
One of the 13 recommendations put forth is to offer guidance and early intervention for men and boys to foster a culture of positive masculinity, as this issue is not solely the burden of women.
Lady Eilish Angiolini KC expressed “great concern” during the press conference on December 2, highlighting the inability to provide accurate data on the number of women nationwide reporting sexually motivated crimes in public spaces, which she deemed a critical failure within policing.
The bureaucratic gap where women’s encounters are not documented, acknowledged, or prioritized is a grave concern. The report underscores the absence of national data on sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces annually, with victims enduring significant consequences.
“We have come to accept that many women do not feel safe walking the streets. It is time to demonstrate that their voices matter and take concrete actions to address their fears,” Lady Angiolini emphasized.
The sense of fear is a shared experience among women globally. A simple outing can quickly turn into a moment of apprehension, as women adapt their routines and behaviors to safeguard themselves, yet often feeling it is insufficient.
Although my experience that night ended safely, many women are not as fortunate despite their efforts to stay secure.
