The Mayor of London spoke to
Cosmopolitan about his plans to make women safer in the capital. Apr 7, 2021
The murder of Sarah Everard has raised new questions about an age-old stain on society – violence against women and girls. The tragedy of Sarah’s death sent shockwaves through the appalled nation, and just as unsettling was the feeling stirred up for many women that, really, it could have been any of us, just trying to walk home.
An outpouring of stories followed on social media demonstrating that male harassment and violence is the exhausting norm rather than an abhorrent exception. The government swiftly responded by outlining its moves to provide reassurance to women and girls . These measures including “better lighting and CCTV”; an increase in police presence in “areas of potential concern for women and girls” like “parks and alleyways, and routes from bars, restaurants and nightclubs” and more plain clothes officers attending clubs and bars
ONE of Northumbria s most senior safeguarding officers is urging victims who have been locked down with their abusers to come forward as restrictions begin to ease in the coming weeks and months. Domestic abuse lead for Northumbria Police detective superintendent Lisa Laverick believes victims of abuse have felt unable to leave volatile relationships the past few months due to extended lockdown restrictions. Now with the Government announcement that restrictions will be eased over coming weeks and months, det supt Laverick wants to encourage victims to come forward who may have been suffering in silence throughout lockdown with their abuser. It comes as part of NO MORE week, which is a campaign led by UK Says No More, to raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence, inspiring individuals, organisations and communities to make changes.
Mexican femicide short drama
The Road Is A Red Thread has won the top prize at 16 Days 16 Films, the short film competition aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence.
The short, directed by
Mexico’s Melissa Elizondo Moreno, centres on femicide – the murder of women because they are women – and draws attention to the thousands who ‘disappear’ each year in Mexico.
The award, announced on Wednesday in London via a streamed online event, includes a cash prize of £2,000 ($2,700) and the opportunity for Moreno to create a new public service announcement for UK Says No More, a national campaign focused on raising awareness and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence in the UK.