Across social media platforms and the news this week, the case of 33-year-old Sarah Everard has sparked the conversation once again about women’s safety. Everard disappeared last week while walking home alone at night from a friend’s house in South London. She had last been seen on surveillance footage walking home. Wayne Couzens, a Metropolitan Police officer has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering Sarah Everard.
Although this case is particular to London, the details that surfaced following Everard’s disappearance continues to provoke international outrage. The United States, more specifically South Florida is not new to cases of missing women. Last month the Sun Sentinel published a story about 21-year-old Noemi Bolivar who went missing after going for an evening walk in Hollywood, FL. Additionally, Florida ranks 3rd in the top ten states with the highest rates of human trafficking according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline website.
Commenters have used the popularity of these posts to write “women should know not to walk home alone at night” or “don’t dress provocatively if you don’t want the attention.” These statements have women uniting in outrage and grief to tell their personal stories of harassment by men and to demand a change in the dialogue that surrounds stories such as this. This story is as old as time. When will women stop being shamed for being independent and when will the finger be pointed at the victimizer and NOT the victim?
If you you are a victim of sexual assault and need help please use the 24 Hour National Sexual Assault Hotline : 1-800-656-4673.
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