What #EndMaleViolence Is About

28-year-old Sabina Nessa was found dead on the 17th of September close to One Space community center in Kidbrooke. She was a southeast London primary school teacher. 

Nessa was on her way to meet her friend at The Depot bar in Kidbrooke and never made it there. Her body was found in Cator Park by a passer-by.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder and released waiting for further investigation. Recently a 36-year-old man was arrested in East Sussex which was a significant development in the case. 

Tributes and candles have been left in Pegler Square, and a book of condolence was also added close to where Nessa’s body was found. The post-mortem examination of her body came back as inconclusive when looking at the cause of death. 

Sabina Nessa’s sister, Jebina Yasmin Islam, spoke at the vigil in Pegler square, where more than 500 people joined.

Hashtags such as #endmaleviolence have been trending all over social media recently. Women have been campaigning and posting about the fear and discomfort that they feel walking in a city on their own or when they receive suggestive comments. Men have been strongly urged to call out their friends’ inappropriate behavior.   

The main reason women reporting feeling unsafe after dark is men’s behavior. Women are followed, receive inappropriate, suggestive, and unwanted comments and even physical assaults. 

It is essential that men not only do not do these actions but also actively call out people and friends who do and help in reporting them. 

The next step is for the police force to get more resources, and more victim support needs to be available. A safe space for victims to be able to go to with no feeling of getting humiliated is crucial. 

Catcalling, unwanted touching, leering, harassment. These are all things that women have to endure regularly. Feeling under threat when women do daily tasks and go on about their day is a horrific thing to have to go through so often. 

However, there are small actions that make a big difference. Women have reported that some men have been walking behind women and have crossed the road when realizing that it is dark outside. Small actions like this make a big difference and make women feel a lot safer.    

Constant awareness is exhausting, and women want men to understand what kind of pressure they are under. The constant need of trying to protect oneself is tiring and makes one think about every small action. Even thinking about how it is not a good idea to be wearing a short skirt or revealing top when you walk outside is a tiring thought to have. Having to cover your drink and being extra careful because of the fear of being spiked is something most women have experienced.  

It is sad to think most women you speak to have experienced some sort of sexual harassment. All women have either experienced this or know someone who has. We wish to live in a world where this happens less and less, and eventually not at all. Being a woman should not be a reason to constantly live in fear.