Police advising women not to walk alone at night

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I’ve seen a lot of friends outraged at the Met police locally advising women not to walk alone at night in the days following the disappearance of Sarah Everard. I’ve seen a posts along the lines of ‘how about telling men not to attack women instead?’

I absolutely agree with the wider point that we should be asking the question “how do we make it safe for women?” not “how do women stay out of danger?”

But in this case, was the police’s advice not just the equivalent of advising people to stay out of the water following a shark attack?

I’m so upset and angry about Sarah Everard but I cannot get incensed about the police advising women to take precautions when an unknown attacker may have still been in the area.

But what was it about this case that caused this reaction?..

I've wondered the same myself. There's some obvious stuff: she's white, she's attractive, and as cerseii said there's none of the usual rule-breaking we desperately cling to as an illusion of being able to somehow keep ourselves safe.

Then there's Covid. We're all fed up with the restrictions generally, then to have an off-duty Met officer (allegedly) stop her on supposedly breaking Covid-related rules is too far.

Then there's the Scottish Hate Crime bill that leaves out womanhood, the only protected characteristic to be omitted.

Then there's the 'George Floyd' factor. Just one too many, the raindrop that breaks the dam.

@cerseii To be honest, the main place I have seen the "young" label is when people are talking about how she got more attention than X because she was young, white, a millenial etc etc. Rather than people saying "this case is particularly tragic because she is young". I have to say this makes me feel a little uncomfortable, not because it is wrong to discuss the disparity in reporting between murders of white women and murders with black women - but because no matter who you talk about you could ascribe some privileged aspect to them - e.g. Y is just getting that attention because she is a millenial (actually seen that), X is just getting that attention because she is straight, Z is just getting that attention because she is a light skinned black women etc. It risks meaning that we cant talk about ANYONE without a counter arguement as to why they dont deserve it, misses the point anyway and waters down actually useful discussions about ensuring we are outraged against violence against all women. I dont mean some of the very patient mumsnet posters who have been talking about this stuff for a while.

Missing white woman syndrome is s thing. The press give more attention to some cases than others. No doubt.

This case I would say, as another put it, is the George Floyd factor. So many women have just had enough.

Yes in the states as well. So many get ignored. Native Americans will mark their mouth with red hand paint for all the missing women and children but no one seems to noticed

Here’s an article: www.upworthy.com/a-photographer-captured-a-track-star-s-powerful-mmiw-statement-we-all-need-to-know-what-it-means

It’s a fact that some countries are safer for women than others. That means there is some variability in male behaviour towards women, and it is that that should be being explored, not how much freedom can be taken away from victims of crimes. Britain is not in the top ten of safest countries in the world. We can aspire to better.

so agree , i presume this has had such prominence because a policeman was involved but i agree there have been so many such cases with young girls etc being killed while out and about that dont get as much mention

Wembley park murders: PCs 'took selfies next to sisters' dead bodies' This Case to me was a massive warning sign it was investigated and changes were said to happen going forward. Their mother is a first female black Archdeacon and fought for their dignity whilst grieving. The dehumanising and categorising of labelling someone based on them as a crime statistic of being from a certain area or demographic and how that can desensitize the humanity in this. The senseless murder of a man or woman the media seizes on the narrative frames this it creates the crime statistic represented which police in turn respond to . It’s a feedback loop . It’s the same with how the age old archetype of woman as Eve luring Adam to sin is still retold in the media. What was she doing, what was she wearing . What was the lure to justify the senseless needless violence. The media again creates the narrative as women’s sexual availabilty being the tool to sell things as well as sell a story and its a feedback loop again of the story sells. A pretty face attached to a story of fear and terror . Women are portrayed as having value based on their allure in the media they are judged and categorised on this yet this is the apple that leads men to sin in the narratives It’s kind of ridiculous that it stems from this constant retelling and of course the police respond to what is making bad headlines in the media. Which is why if you report something it may not get highlighted why because it keeps the crime stats low. If the true extent of the problem was represented it would have to become a priority on an already overstretched and under resourced service . Which is why a Policeman exposes himself twice not in some dark alley or in a park but in a very well lit public place on CCTV twice and reported by the premises if this had been looked into wouldn’t he have been put off duty not fit to carry a warrant of protection and not felt invincible . It shows how broken the system and out of touch with the tremours recent cases have revealed that indecent exposure is the gateway to sexual violence its the warm up practice with a fear response craved . Dominance through fear how would you create a breeding ground for that who owns the streets ? curfewing the victims . Take their freedoms away put them under house arrest . Asbo them. Equally in work sometimes night shifts late hours to earn to pay taxes to Police the streets yet we cannot walk those streets in that equal safety . 40years on women are being chained to the kitchen sink , infantilised , categorised and judged and told to stay at home for their own safety yet if they covered up were housebound and never spoke up they are very likely victim to Domestic abuse because they have no independence outside of that home! Stay at home.The police advice in a way mirrors the abuser Stay in the home where you belong keep quiet for your own safety it also perfectly mirrors the Covid advice too. Don’t gather , Stay in your home , isolate which is to protect the community .

@earnshaw47

so agree , i presume this has had such prominence because a policeman was involved but i agree there have been so many such cases with young girls etc being killed while out and about that dont get as much mention

Yes, and I think sadly the race of victims plays a much bigger part than their age/other factors. Which does not take away AT ALL from the horror of Sarah Everard's death.

My god have you all heard yourselves - why has this case so prominent - are you "tired" of it?
The case is absolutely horrendous!!!!! - abduction and killing of a young woman, what ever the race or age, by a stranger is relatively rare, but on the other hand , sex and violent crimes by police officers way way too high and accounts for the 2nd highest crime police officers commit. Home secretary, we appear to have a problem with the recruiting and vetting process of police officers. We also have a problem that the police state they didnt have enough time to investigate Wayne Couzens and his previous sex crimes because the police are way too busy dragging people from their homes for Covid offences.
The rare act of a random killing was carried out by a serving police officer - so why aren't you all protesting in the street, why aren't you protesting to the Home Secretary about the high no. Of sex and violent crimes serving police officers are committing. I've already written to Jess Phillips MP asking for her to discuss my concerns in Parliament - what have you done except moan about how often this is in the news? Eh?

www.bing.com/videos/search?q=crimebodge+videos+youtube+Sarah+everard&view=detail&mid=068C7DB8C44A5C3E26BC068C7DB8C44A5C3E26BC&FORM=VIRE
Please watch this video to compliment my thoughts above. I was going to put a video together myself but this legal adviser has beaten me to it. The amount of newspaper clippings are a drop in the ocean compared to the real nos. Of sex offences by police officers. As each day passes on average 1-2 fresh sex crime cases emerge on a daily basis from UKPolice. Feeling safe when you call 101, I don't and quite the opposite, with two deaths in custody already in two months I am so scared of the police right now.

in an ideal world we should all be able to walk anywhere we want, whenever we want, wearing what we want but it isnt an ideal world so we must be sensible and be wary walking around late at night in a quiet area , we must try to not put ourselves in that situation