{"id":117719,"date":"2021-03-19T21:59:49","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T21:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=117719"},"modified":"2021-03-19T21:59:49","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T21:59:49","slug":"join-fight-to-end-violence-against-women-but-dont-lose-sight-of-sarah-everard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/join-fight-to-end-violence-against-women-but-dont-lose-sight-of-sarah-everard\/","title":{"rendered":"Join fight to end violence against women but don\u2019t lose sight of Sarah Everard"},"content":{"rendered":"

WHEN a horrifying moment in time becomes symbolic in the call for change there is a danger you lose sight of the actual person who was the catalyst for that fight.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why, in all of the on-air discussions about the appalling murder of Sarah Everard this week, I have been very careful to bring it back to the unimaginable loss suffered by her family and friends.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

She was clearly a much-loved and thoroughly kind, funny and decent young woman but her family have been distressed at the way their daughter has been politicised.<\/p>\n

One of Sarah\u2019s best friends wrote a heartbreaking article that reduced me to tears.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Helen Edwards mentions the vigil on Clapham Common for Sarah and says initially she was looking forward to attending, as it was a way to express her love for her and sorrow about what had happened.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She subsequently changed her mind about going, along with many other of Sarah\u2019s friends, because they believed her death was being \u201chijacked\u201d and were dismayed that it didn\u2019t feel it was a tribute to Sarah any more.<\/p>\n

Helen is also at pains to stress that all men should not be demonised after Sarah\u2019s alleged abduction and murder, and doesn\u2019t think what happened to her friend is a symptom of a sexist and dangerous society.<\/p>\n

She wants to make it clear that Sarah had \u201cmany wonderful men in her life\u201d and wouldn\u2019t have wanted them to be \u201csmeared with the same brush as her attacker\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Helen is also incensed over the idea of a curfew for men after dark, calling it \u201cone of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard\u201d, and firmly believes Sarah would have agreed. I respect Helen\u2019s point of view, but the stories from so many women of being groped, verbally and physically abused and sexually harassed and assaulted that emerged in the wake of Sarah\u2019s murder have made us all realise this state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sarah\u2019s death opened the floodgates to anger, frustration and a desire for change among women who don\u2019t want to put up with this crap any more.<\/p>\n

And of course, the scenes at Clapham Common, when police were shamefully heavy handed, made feelings run even higher.<\/p>\n

I totally understand that Sarah\u2019s family want to mourn quietly and with dignity.<\/p>\n

I agree with Helen that most men are decent, loving and caring and would be appalled at the casual sexism demonstrated by Neanderthals and morons, as well as those who prey on young girls and women.\u00a0<\/p>\n

None of us wants to make this any harder for Sarah\u2019s family and friends, and what we need now are cool heads and a coherent plan to educate those men who sadly need to be told what is and what is not acceptable behaviour.<\/p>\n

Finding Derek<\/h3>\n

KATE Garraway, my incredibly brave friend and colleague, has made a heartbreaking documentary about her husband Derek\u2019s year-long ordeal in hospital after being struck down with Covid. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m in awe of her resilience, courage and strength. Kate somehow manages to keep her family together, she still comes into work and all the while she carries the burden of not knowing what will happen to the man she loves so dearly.<\/p>\n

It will be a raw and powerful watch. I am so proud of Kate and I know you will want to join me in sending all of your love and support.\u00a0<\/p>\n