Women’s safety is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention, with numerous lives being devastated and lost. The National Police Chiefs’ Council declared the magnitude of violence against women and girls a “national emergency” in July 2024. Following the release of the Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 report, our nation is also confronted with a sense of shame, as little progress has been made since the tragic death of Sarah Everard.
The inquiry was initiated in response to the heinous murder and assault of 33-year-old Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens, who abducted her from a bustling London street on March 3, 2021. Couzens was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole-life order on September 30 of the same year.
The incident marked a significant turning point for women’s safety. The announcement by then Metropolitan Police Chief Cressida Dick in March 2021 regarding the arrest of a Metropolitan police officer for Sarah Everard’s murder sparked a wave of change. The Metropolitan Police faced criticism for their handling of a vigil held in memory of Sarah Everard, further eroding trust in the institution meant to safeguard the public.
The Angiolini Inquiry delved into broader issues concerning policing and women’s safety, spurred by cases like Couzens’ and that of former police officer David Carrick, convicted in February 2023 for 49 crimes. The report emphasizes the exploration and evaluation of strategies to prevent sexually motivated violence against women and girls in public spaces.
According to the report, society has normalized sexual harassment, leaving women in a perpetual state of vigilance, especially in environments where they feel vulnerable to sexually motivated crimes, such as public spaces. 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 prevalence of 86% among women aged 18 to 24.
Half of the women surveyed for the Angiolini Inquiry disclosed experiencing incidents within the past three years that made them feel unsafe due to others’ actions. Among women aged 18 to 24, 76% reported feeling unsafe in public due to the behavior of men.
The report underscores the need for collective responsibility in addressing national issues, suggesting measures to provide information and early intervention for men and boys to promote positive masculinity. Lady Eilish Angiolini KC expressed deep concern during the Inquiry’s press conference about the lack of precise data on the number of women nationally reporting being victims of sexually motivated crimes in public spaces, highlighting a critical failure in policing.
The pervasive sense of fear experienced by women is a shared reality, with many altering their routines and behaviors to ensure their safety, although these precautions may not always suffice. Women navigate their daily lives while constantly preparing for potential threats, underscoring the urgent need for meaningful action to address their apprehensions and prioritize their well-being.