Sarah Everard

I, like so many women, have watched the news of Sarah’s disappearance and the subsequent arrest of a serving police officer for her murder. We have all watched with our hearts in our mouths and a beating sense of dread as the story unfolded. Women, every woman, knows that we could have been Sarah. Women in their droves are sharing stories of how they navigate and risk assess daily to try and prevent male violence. We are taught this from a very young age.

My mum taught me the keys in the fist trick at the age of 10 when I wanted to go to the library on my own. I set off with my keys gripped in my hands firmly pointed forward and was followed by a man anyway, who indecently exposed himself to me. I ran to a woman for help and she got me home and safe, she knew. We all know. I won’t be the only girl this has happened to and it wasn’t the first time anyway, a group of my friends and I had already been subjected to a man masturbating at us on the beach… this happened a handful of times before I felt able to speak to my Mum.

I’ve been sexually harassed in broad daylight whilst running, spat on by a random man, groped in clubs and pubs too many times to count, sexually assaulted on the tube on the way to work and I was so frightened I froze, he sneered at me knowing I could do nothing, that I would do nothing…

These are just some of the outside threats, and I have no time or desire to tell you of the experiences I’ve had from men who professed to love me. I don’t tell you these things for sympathy; none of the women sharing their stories are asking for sympathy. We are highlighting the reality that male violence is endemic and the narrative for women is daily and constant:

• Should I go for a run? No. It’s too dark.
• Should I get the bus or take my car? But wait the car park is dark and I know the meeting will end late.
• Should I walk? Should I stay home? Should I wear that? Do I have my emergency £20 at home just in case I get split up from my friends?
• Do I have my rape alarm? Do they even work?
• Take your head phones out
• Don’t look vulnerable
• Don’t make eye contact
• Don’t drink too much
• Don’t flirt too much
• Don’t speak too much
• Don’t laugh too much
• Don’t be too angry
• Don’t wear that, or that, or this
• Text your friend immediately when you get home
• Watch her enter her house – knowing that inside is just as unsafe for so many of us…

I am tired. We women are all tired of this. These aren’t our crimes. These aren’t our burdens to carry. I talked at length this morning to a friend who told me he was ashamed of being a man. Instead of easing his shame I told him he should be. I told him to talk to and challenge his male friends and make them feel the shame too. I told him it is not ok to think you are doing enough by just crossing the street if you are walking behind a woman, that won’t get a pat on the back from me for just doing that, I don’t have the energy or the inclination to tell men I am grateful at the moment. I need (we women need) men to do more, much more!

If all men began to carry the burden, instead of women, then things might begin to change. I know that it isn’t women’s fault and I won’t appease the shame of the male sex by throwing them a rope on this. I’ve done my job for far too long to know that the men who seek to control, scare, rape, torture, prostitute and murder women won’t listen to us. It is time for men to step up and change the behaviours of their own sex.

For now it only remains to say that everyone at Aurora sends their deepest condolences and heartfelt love to Sarah’s friends and family.

Shonagh Dillon CEO – Aurora

How can you help?

You can help Aurora raise vital funds during the COVID19 pandemic: