Why is emphasis on women staying safe and not on the brutality of men?
In the wake of Sarah’s murder the police must change a culture which turned a blind eye to a sleaze and threw a protective ring around him
I’VE struggled this week to settle on one thread about Sarah Everard and the appalling circumstances which led to the 33-yearold’s horrific murder at the hands of a police officer.
I wanted to write that in the aftermath of the revelations following her abduction, rape and murder that cool heads must prevail and we should be wary of hysteria.
I wanted to say that for one evil man who has slipped through the vetting process there are thousands more trustworthy officers patrolling our streets.
But as more and more details emerge I’m wrangling with many thoughts on Sarah’s final hours, women’s safety, trust in the police and institutionalised misogyny.
There can be little doubt the consequences of a serving police officer abusing his power has shaken us to our very core.
As if the horrific details of the murder were not enough it then emerged that police may have had enough to identify Wayne Couzens as a threat to women.
I was astounded to hear the judge say “some of his colleagues have spoken supportively of him.” This about a man allegedly nicknamed “the rapist” who was twice reported for indecent exposure incidents but was thought of “good character.” As a woman and someone who has worked closely with the police for years these words chilled me to the bone.
What a stunning lack of respect for the victim and her family. Not to mention the impact on the issue of public trust in the police.
Where were the alarm bells that should have been ringing louder than a Metallica concert?
Why was there a protective ring thrown around Couzens?
How did he pass vetting? Why wasn’t someone kicking up a fuss about his nickname and ergo a reputation as a “sleaze”? So many questions.
Women rightly deserve all the reassurance in the world that violence against them is a priority for every police force.
We need to see police lead by example and not make light of the fact one of their colleagues is sleazy or turn a blind eye.
I cannot imagine the pain Sarah’s family are enduring. Not only are they having to comprehend the brutality of her final hours but they will be tormented that her death could have been avoided if only the proper action had been taken in the years and months before March 2021. Just yesterday
Government ministers were trotting out advice to women concerned about a police officer to “flag down a bus, call 999, get support from a bystander”. Another variation of “don’t wear that, don’t walk alone after a dark, don’t be too pretty, friendly or put yourself in a vulnerable position”. Always, always putting the sole responsibility for our safety back to us. And it’s unfortunate that among all of the advice we are told to run to police officers if we feel unsafe. Instead of focusing on how to prevent another Sarah Everard, let’s focus on how to stop another Wayne Couzens.