Men must help to stop abuse of women

TWENTY-FIVE years ago, during my social work training, I had to visit Acklington Prison with my practice teacher.

She advised me to wear loose clothing that didn’t show my figure. When I asked why, I was told that when we crossed the courtyard inside the prison we were likely to be catcalled.

Two years ago my daughter was assaulted on a crowded train, returning from London to Brighton.

My foster-daughter told me, only last week, that a car pulled alongside her and a man catcalled. Carrie Symonds, Boris Johnson’s partner, was targeted by black cab serial rapist, John Worboys, when she was 19.

Ask any woman and they will be able to tell you of an occasion they have been made to feel unsafe due to the behaviour of men.

One in three women are assaulted during their lifetime by men, that’s enough men for all women to be afraid when walking home alone at night.

The murder of Sarah Everard has served a tragic reminder of how women out alone are at risk.

I am in no way suggesting all men are dangerous. What needs to change is men’s behaviour towards women. It will take other men to call this out. Our Labour Group at North Tyneside Council has adopted the White Ribbon Pledge.

This commits men never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women and girls.

To be part of the solution to end all forms of such violence.

We need women and girls to feel safe on our streets and when going about their daily lives.

That is going to take a huge cultural shift in how men treat, and think of, women in our society.