Women’s safety is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention, as numerous lives have been devastated and lost. The National Police Chiefs’ Council declared the escalating violence against women and girls a “national emergency” in July 2024. Following the release of the Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 report, it has become evident that the lack of progress in addressing this issue since the tragic death of Sarah Everard is a national disgrace.
The inquiry was initiated in response to the brutal murder and assault of 33-year-old Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens, who abducted her from a busy London street on March 3, 2021. Couzens received a life imprisonment sentence, including a whole-life order, on September 30 of the same year.
The events surrounding Everard’s case served as a pivotal moment for women’s safety. The revelation by then Metropolitan Police Chief Cressida Dick about the arrest of a Metropolitan police officer for Everard’s murder in March 2021 marked a significant shift. The Metropolitan Police faced criticism for their handling of a vigil for Everard, exacerbating concerns about women’s safety both on the streets and with the very emergency services meant to protect them.
The Angiolini Inquiry delved into broader policing issues and women’s safety concerns stemming from cases like Couzens’ and that of former police officer David Carrick, convicted of 49 crimes in February 2023. A central focus of the report is exploring strategies to prevent sexually motivated violence against women and girls in public spaces.
The report highlights the normalization of sexual harassment and the pervasive sense of vigilance among women, especially in settings where they feel vulnerable to sexual crimes. A survey conducted by the United Nations revealed that 71% of UK women have encountered sexual harassment in public spaces during their lifetime, with a higher percentage among younger women aged 18-24.
Half of the women surveyed for the Angiolini Inquiry reported feeling unsafe due to someone else’s actions or behavior within the last three years. Alarmingly, 76% of women aged 18-24 expressed feeling unsafe in public spaces due to the actions of men.
Addressing these issues is not solely the responsibility of women, as evidenced by one of the 13 recommendations calling for education and early intervention for men and boys to promote positive masculinity. Lady Eilish Angiolini KC, speaking during the press conference for the Inquiry, expressed deep concern over the lack of data on sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces, labeling it a critical failure within policing.
The underreporting and lack of acknowledgment of women’s experiences in official records underscore the urgent need to prioritize women’s safety and address the systemic failures highlighted in the report. Lady Angiolini emphasized the importance of empowering women to voice their concerns and implementing effective measures to ensure their safety.
The pervasive fear experienced by women in various settings underscores the shared challenges faced by women globally. Personal anecdotes, like the one shared by the author, illustrate the everyday precautions and adaptations women make to safeguard themselves, highlighting the constant need for vigilance.
The report serves as a call to action to recognize and address the systemic issues contributing to the prevailing sense of insecurity among women. It is imperative to create a society where women feel safe and empowered to live their lives without the constant fear of harm.