Politicians call for women to Reclaim Our Streets
Local politicians are speaking out for women’s safety in Hamilton after the Reclaim Our Streets movement gained momentum following the death of Sarah Everard.
Hamilton MP Angela Crawley said she feared for her life when she received threats from men threatening assault, violence and rape last year.
The SNP politician felt in danger every time she was returning to her home in Hamilton, and says it’s not right that women have to reassure each other of their safety when walking home.
The tragic case of 33-year-old Sarah shook the country, sparking nationwide vigils where women across the country joined to highlight the issue of women’s safety on the streets.
Ms Crawley told the Advertiser: “The simple fact she was walking home resonates with every woman.
“It will come as no surprise to women who must assess every aspect of their daily lives in fear of sexual violence, assault or abhorrent crimes inflicted at the hands of men.
“There needs to be a strategy to protect women and girls from violence, with strengthened legislation on rape, domestic violence and sentencing.
“I’ll continue to call on the UK, to fulfil its obligations, and ratify the Istanbul Convention, without delay. Almost nine years have passed since the UK signed the convention, and we are no further forward. We must end violence against women and this would be a meaningful start.”
Ms Crawley says more needs to be done.
She added: “Reclaim the Night is an important movement, but it must be backed by action from legislators.
“Tougher penalties need to be implemented for rapists, domestic violence perpetrators and action must be taken against street harassment.”
Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon agreed, saying the focus on women’s decisions has went on too long and the behaviour of men needs to be examined.
The Blantyre-raised politician has previously opened up about experiences where men harassed her on the streets of Hamilton.
Ms Lennon highlighted that the case of Sarah serves as a reminder that more needs to be done for women in Hamilton to feel safer.
She said: “It’s an everyday issue for women and girls. We’ve had issues raised by constituents from young people in school being harassed to women’s harassment in the workplace and dealing with the justice system.
“I think organisations have got better at creating policies about reporting these things. But I don’t think we’re seeing the culture change that we’d like to see.
“There needs to be more focus on men’s behaviour and their responsibilities. So far, it’s been about women having the confidence to speak out and I think we need to flip that around.
“Of course it’s not all men that behave like this, but education from a really young age is important.”
Ms Lennon says the issue is close to home and worrying for women in Lanarkshire. On her own experience, she added: “I was harassed on the streets on Hamilton when doing political campaigning and I felt on those occasions I was being targeted primarily because I was a woman.
“Women are getting chased out of politics, and public life, because I know women that see what we’ve experienced and will think they don’t want to put themselves through that.
“I support the Reclaim the Streets movement because it is completely necessary for women to say enough is enough but it needs men to be on our side and call out the behaviour of their friends and colleagues and also look at their own behaviour.
“It’s as much of an issue for women in Hamilton as it is for anywhere and we have a long way to go.”