The issue of women’s safety has become a pressing concern, with numerous lives being affected and lost.
In July 2024, the National Police Chiefs’ Council raised the alarm on the widespread violence targeting women and girls, labeling it a “national emergency.” Following the publication of the Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 report, it has also been deemed a national disgrace, as little has changed since the tragic event involving Sarah Everard.
Prompted by the brutal murder and assault of 33-year-old Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens, the Angiolini Inquiry was established. Couzens abducted Everard from a bustling London street on March 3, 2021. Subsequently, on September 30 of that year, Couzens received a life sentence with a whole-life order.
The tragic event marked a turning point in addressing women’s safety concerns. The landscape shifted in March 2021 when then Metropolitan Police Chief Cressida Dick publicly announced the arrest of a Metropolitan police officer in connection with Sarah Everard’s murder. The Metropolitan Police faced further backlash for their handling of a vigil in memory of Everard.
This incident raised concerns among UK women, who felt unsafe both on the streets and in the hands of the emergency services tasked with safeguarding the public, namely the police. The Angiolini Inquiry highlighted that even female police officers have had to make significant lifestyle adjustments to enhance their safety, altering their plans, routes, and behaviors.
The inquiry delved into broader issues surrounding policing and women’s safety arising from cases like Couzens’ and that of former police officer David Carrick, convicted in February 2023 of 49 crimes. A central focus of the report is to explore strategies to prevent sexually motivated violence against women and girls in public spaces.
The report highlights how society has normalized sexual harassment and the constant vigilance women experience, especially at night, in parks, on public transport, and any setting where they perceive a risk of sexual crimes.
A United Nations survey of 1,000 UK women revealed that 71% had encountered sexual harassment in public spaces at some point in their lives. This percentage significantly rises to 86% for women aged 18 to 24.
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