Sexual Assault Awareness Month Series Part 3: Not All Men, But All Women
A March 2021 study by UN Women UK found that a staggering 97% of women from the ages of 18-24 have been sexually harassed. Even worse, most of those women say they will never report it, in fear of not being heard or simply nothing changing.
“This is a human rights crisis,” says Executive Director of UN Women UK Claire Barnett. “It’s just not enough for us to keep saying ‘this is too difficult of a problem for us to solve’—it needs addressing now.”
This research was released on the heels of a tragic story out of London, that quickly rippled through the country, and the rest of the world. On March 3, Sarah Everard was walking home late at night from a friend’s house. The 33-year-old was taking all the necessary precautions that a typical woman does when walking alone in the dark. She chose well-lit streets and was speaking to her boyfriend on the phone, yet still never made it home.
Just over a week later, London police officer Wayne Couzens was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Everard. This deplorable act in the British capital has sparked outrage from women across the world and an unrest similar to that of the #Metoo movement.
In response to the tragic death of Everard, women across the United Kingdom are sharing their stories and experiences of harassment throughout the city and are demanding justice and safety for women everywhere. Protests and vigils in honor of Everard were held throughout March, but there is still much work to be done in order to protect women and young girls, especially at night.
Everard’s case has discouragingly struck a chord with women across the world, not only because the prime suspect is a member of the metropolitan police, but perhaps more notably because she was doing everything that young women have been taught to stay safe and protect themselves.
The disappearance and eventual death of Everard has triggered conversations that are long overdue regarding women’s rights and safety. Calling a friend, constantly looking over shoulders, or holding keys between fingers should not be the norm, but a call to action.
On social media, many men have been showing their support and asking how they can help women feel better on the streets or at night. These conversations are progress, and could be the difference in adding more streetlights to a path or prompting lawmakers to enforce changes.
Despite the breakthroughs seen on social media in the aftermath of Everard’s troubling story, a harmful hashtag began trending that same week. #NotAllMen was seen all over different social media platforms with the intent of defense. However, this problematic voice shifted the conversation away from keeping women safe to the image and perception of men. Of course not all men are dangerous and make women feel uneasy; but all women feel unsafe, and that is the much bigger issue.
Activist and actress Jameela Jamil took to Instagram to address the issue:
“It’s true #notallmen harm women,” she said. “But do all men work to make sure their fellow men do not harm women? Do they interrupt troubling language and behavior in others? Do they have conversations about women’s safety/ consent with their sons? Are #allmen interested in our safety?”
The changes that need to be made to help women feel safer cannot happen instantly. It will take work, however we can all make that difference.
For Everard and the countless women that have faced similar situations, we must keep these conversations and this progress going, making sure their stories are the impetus for change.
The Edge encourages everyone to get informed and keep having these critical conversations. Further information on the resources available to Elon students concerning sexual violence can be found here.