'The vile language and aggression is disgraceful': Views from Harborough women on why they do not feel safe on our streets

We asked for your experiences - and here are just a few of your responses
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Following the tragic death of Sarah Everard, women across the country have been speaking out on the dangers they face on our streets. We asked people to share their experiences so we could highlight the issue locally - and give a voice to those who are often not heard. We can all play a part to help and having this discussion is a good start. Here are just some of the comments we received (we have not named the people).

SWORN AT IN THE STREET

My daughter and her friend have been meeting during lockdown to do their exercise. They walk, run or bike. The amount of abuse by adults shouting and swearing at them has been shocking. They have followed all rules so they do not deserve the reprimand. But the vile language and aggression is disgraceful.

Flowers placed in London in memory of Sarah Everard.Flowers placed in London in memory of Sarah Everard.
Flowers placed in London in memory of Sarah Everard.

DANGERS OF WALKING ALONE AT NIGHT

I was followed by a lad in Broughton once. Called the police but they never came to take my statement. Few weeks later the same guy was being looked for by said police for sexually assaulting a woman. Even now I don’t like walking alone in the dark

I WON'T WALK ALONG NOW

I sometimes take the dog for a walk around the leisure centre fields but since the dog thefts and whats happened to Sarah I won’t even consider it anymore

MY GUT WAS TELLING ME THAT HE WAS DANGEROUS

Last Sunday I went for our weekly walk with my three-year-old and her father.

We stopped at a corner bench to eat, next to the Grammar School and church. My child's father took our child around the corner of the church to get something to eat for us and within seconds from around the other side of the church, a man appeared as if directly looking for me. He wasn't walking by, or browsing, or walking trough town. He literally came from the right of the church, right in front of me with what seemed to be pre-rehearsed sentences of 'hello, you are beautiful', 'what are you doing', 'it's a lovely day'.

He made me feel a little edgy and rather uncomfortable, cornered on this bench alone. This area was very busy, so I did feel targeted. It was like he was after some information or this was leading to something else, until I finally jumped in and told him I'm waiting for my partner. As a mother, I instantly felt anxious to find my child after this.

This does not seem too alarming to those that are reading it or those that I have told, as it sounds like some guy was just flattering me. That's not what my gut was telling me. But as soon as he appeared from the right of the church he vanished again. So he wasn't walking by or caught my eye whilst mooching around the town.

MORE MEN NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATION

I’d personally love to see the conversation open up not just about all of the women experiences but hearing from the men. Who are the men? Who are they friends with? What are they saying/doing when their mate is shouting drunk abuse or harassment? Or threatening or intimidating?

Because as every single woman knows it’s not just some random stranger it’s too widespread for that and with 50% of the population affected what are the other 50% doing to ensure it stops?