The vigil in Highbury Fields

CAMPAIGNERS want the pain and anger that has met the killing of Sarah Everard to lead to more support for women subjected to violence and stronger prosecutions against perpetrators.

The demands for the 33-year-old’s death to be a watershed moment for the nation came as candles were lit in Highbury Fields in remembrance.

Around 50 people walked through the park in a peaceful vigil on Saturday night.

Outside the Town Hall, a memorial bench has been put in place, which the council described as a “place for women to express their sorrow at the death of Sarah Everard and other victims of violence against women, as well as to stand in solidarity with all those affected”.

Bouquets were left there this week after the update from police that the marketing executive’s remains had been found in Kent.

Islington’s crime and community chief Labour councillor Sue Lukes, who laid flowers at the bench this week, said she wanted a meeting with police to discuss how reports of violence can be “turned into prosecutions”.

A clear message at Saturday evening’s vigil

“There is a recognition among police, and I have asked the borough commander for a meeting in fact, that they are quite a long way behind where they need to be in terms of turning reporting of crimes against women into actual prosecutions and sentences,” said Cllr Lukes.

“That’s not just about them, we have the courts in a complete mess at the moment, but for the police, it’s about taking these accusations seriously and reporting it seriously.”

Shocking figures have previously shown that in the past decade as little as 1.4 per cent of rape allegations made to the police in the UK have led to somebody being charged – statistics which some campaigners say effectively “decriminalises” the abuse.

Lisa Longstaff, from the Women Against Rape group, told the Tribune: “Because so few are prosecuted and that sends a message to men that they can do whatever they want and get away with it. Ultimately lack of investigating and prosecuting leads to murders.”

The government announced plans this week to have plain-clothes police officers patrol bars and clubs at night to protect women from sexual harassment and assault while also adding more than £20million to fund CCTV and street lighting.

Sarah Everard’s remains were found last week

Islington Council invested an extra £2million last year to fund initiatives tackling violence against women and girls in the borough.

The Town Hall has also set up a network of “safe havens” including shops, cafes and pubs who have pledged to offer support to women who feel threatened.

Organisers of Saturday’s vigil said the event had passed smoothly because police were not there, which they said would have caused a “tense” atmosphere.

Guilene Marco, the co-leader of the Islington branch of the Women’s Equality Party, said: “The fact it wasn’t policed, shows it can be very peaceful. That’s really important, I think this could have happened in Clapham as well.”

She added: “Sometimes one case catches the public attention but as many as three women a week are killed at the hands of their partner in domestic abuse cases. During our march we wanted to highlight this by holding the names of some of the other women who have been killed.”

A vigil at the same time in Clapham Common, close to where Ms Everard disappeared, saw police intervene, trying to break up a crowd, citing Covid rules on gatherings.

Councillor Sue Lukes is joined by council leader Richard Watts and deputy Kaya Comer Schwartz at a bench for Sarah Everard outside the Town Hall

The images of women being restrained and removed led to calls, including from Liberal Democrat London mayoral candidate Luisa ­Porritt, for Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick to resign.

“I’ve heard people say she should stay in post because she’s a woman – but she’s let down women, and these are the very people that are supposed to be there to protect us.” said Ms Porritt.

Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry said: “It shouldn’t be the case, but Sarah’s death is a stark reminder of just how far we have to go as a society to eradicate violence against women and girls.”

Judith Banjoko

She added: “Educating men and boys is a start, but we have to do more. This is a deeply rooted problem, and we need sweeping reforms to tackle it. I am pleased to see that the Government are finally committed to making misogyny a hate crime, but this alone won’t do. We need to increase the conviction rate for sexual assault and domestic abuse cases, and introduce new laws to stop sexual harassment in the street.”

Judith Banjoko, from Solace Women’s Aid, said more investment was needed for support services.

“We have supported over 27,000 women and children in this past year alone, it’s shocking,” she said.

“Funding is a constant issue. It’s a job that has a lot of burnout and trauma. We are definitely under funded, a lot of our services we have to prop up through grants and donations.

“It’s done on a shoestring and as you know, we are entering a time of austerity, so local boroughs will have less funding.”

Met chief Dame Cressida Dick has faced calls to resign

She added: “It’s hard because how do you, as a worker with a case load of 30, say I can’t speak to that next woman, because you don’t know if that next woman could be a domestic homicide victim.”

Islington borough police commander Chief Superintendent Raj Kohli said: “The experience of women in modern day society is just not acceptable The reasons are many and complex but that should not stop society in trying to fix things.”

He added: “Over the weekend I wrote to a number of key stakeholders describing the response that the senior leadership team at Central North wishes to take. Once we have been able to meet and better understand what needs to be done then, as a partnership, we will come to the people we serve and ask them for opinions, ideas and suggestions to further enhance the service we provide.”

Wayne Couzens has been charged with murdering Ms Everard and is due to stand trial in the autumn.

Solutions could start in school

Krystell Lopez

A TEACHER has warned that strained school budgets and exam pressure has meant that sex and relationship education often falls to the bottom of the list of priories.

The alert comes amid calls for schools to review what schoolchildren are taught in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder.

Primary school teacher Krystell Lopez, who is also the equalities representa­tive for the Islington branch of the National Education Union (NEU), attended a vigil for Ms Everard in Priory Park, Crouch End, on Saturday.

She said: “Education is part of the solution – educating our boys on what is okay and to accept a no is a no.

“But there is a lot of pressure on teachers and schools to cover all other subjects with smaller budgets so then those lessons like PSHE [personal, social and health education] can be left on the back burner and not as a priority. When I was a newer teacher I was overwhelmed by all the work and the PSHE stuff was left to the end a bit. Now I am completely focused on children’s wellbeing.”

Ms Lopez added: “I am a big believer in addressing an issue as soon as possible and letting young adults or children know really early on. I am quite honest with my children, even though they’re in primary school. I think from very early on they need to know what is not acceptable.”

A Department for Education spokes­woman said: “Our Relations, Sex and Health Education guidance is designed to give schools the confidence to construct a curriculum that reflects diversity of views and backgrounds, while fostering all pupils’ respect for others, and an understanding of what healthy, mutually respectful relationships are.

“Important issues such as personal privacy and consent are part of our guidance to ensure more young people have a better understanding of how to behave towards their peers.”