The Story of Sarah Everard

by Tegan Piper

Personally, I think recently the story of Sarah Everard has shocked us all and started many conversations that need to be had.

Sarah Everard was a 33 year old girl. Her family sadly heard about her final moment before her disappearance as an inquest into her death was opened. She was having dinner at a university friend's house in Clapham, London just before she disappeared. The inquest at County Hall, in Maidstone Kent, heard her worried boyfriend filed a missing person’s report after not hearing from her in some time. Senior coroner Patricia Harding announced she was releasing Ms Everard's body to her family, who were watching the inquest via video link, for her funeral to take place. Her mother, father, sister and brother listened as it also emerged the coroner ordered a second post mortem after the first proved inconclusive. The inquest heard that Ms Everard’s body was found at 4.20pm at Hoads Wood, near Ashford, on March 10th. Her remains were formally identified by a senior odontologist using her dental records at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. The hearing took less than half an hour and saw inquest proceedings opened and adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. Police discovered her body in Kent woodland a week later after arresting Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens on suspicion of kidnapping. He was later charged with kidnapping and murder.

This story touched me because I have heard it many many times before. At this point women can’t even walk home without the risk of being attacked, kidnapped or murdered. I think it's very important to understand that the movement and protests and call for social and political change aren't saying “All men are dangerous and just waiting to attack women”, what they are saying as that “We know it's not all men but the problem is we don't know which men and there is too many men involved with this issue”. I think it's important to understand that we are calling for a change in society and attitudes regarding this topic. Too many women and girls are taught from a young age to be safe and fearful when most boys aren't taught the same. It has become a societal norm to teach young girls that men can be very dangerous. I saw an image which stuck with me. The phrase “protect our daughters” crossed out and ‘educate our sons” was put in its place. This phrase refers to blaming the victim rather than the abuser, it has nothing to do with parenting. Small little changes will help influence change. Sadly there won't be real change in my lifetime realistically because there are too many sexist, predatory attitudes present in today’s society. Especially when legally you can get more time in prison for defacing a statue than you can for rape, that is an incredibly scary fact and you should feel uncomfotable and shocked. The conversation about this is uncomfortable but needs to be had, all we need to do is keep having this conversation and educating ourselves for the change we are all so desperate for.