Scared to walk home - Women’s safety branded ‘national emergency’

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A national emergency has been declared for women’s safety, as more than 80% say they are scared to walk home on their own.

The survey, carried out by ITV News interviewed 1232 young adults, found that 81% of young women aged between 18-25 feel unsafe walking home in the dark.

Scared to walk home

Speaking to the news outlet, 20-year-old Niamh, described the fear of being chased by a man while walking home at night:

“I had to run for about five minutes, which felt like a lifetime. It’s the worst thing you can imagine happening, and when you realise that it happens, it’s horrible.

“I think it is just that shock and just adrenaline and, you know, instincts or whatever take over because you’re just fearing for your life. It’s awful. I think anyone that’s been in that position can say the same.”

But Niamh, who is a hospitality worker explained how the issue extends beyond nighttime as she spoke about another incident where she was assaulted during the day: “I was alone and a stranger attacked me and there was nobody around… He tried to rape me, and the only reason that I managed to get away is because I fought him off, which was also horribly traumatic.”

The murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021 brought this issue to the forefront after being killed by an off-duty Metropolitan police officer. However, women have unfortunately been navigating these dangers for years, as Niamh’s and many other women’s experiences illustrate, this is not a new problem.

Newly appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Victims and Safeguarding, Jess Phillips addressed the issues women are facing in her first interview since taking on the role.

Phillips stated:

“The reality is, this government considers violence against women and girls to be a national emergency. A national emergency needs systematic change, not just paying lip service when something bad happens.”

Urgent action needed

She expressed the need for urgent action, stating, “I really wish that I could say that it did [shock me]… I actually expected it to be that more women felt unsafe in the dark if I’m perfectly honest.”

To investigate the issues, ITV News sent an undercover reporter out to Cardiff on a busy Friday night, where over he course of two hours, she was approached 20 times.

According to reports, the encounters involved catcalling, harassment, and persistent unwanted attention. But despite asking most of the men to leave her alone, many continued to follow her, highlighting ongoing concerns about respect and safety.

Phillips is now urging the government to tackle violence against women and girls, and pledges to halve instances within the next decade.

How will this be achieved?

According to the Labour Party manifesto, action will be taken to minimise and prevent violence against women and girls by introducing new measures and regulations.

Some of the measures include the following:

Identify and educate

The introduction of domestic abuse experts in 999 control rooms, so that victims can talk directly to a specialist.
The introduction of a legal advocate in every police force area to advise victims from the moment of a report to trial.
Schools will address misogyny and teach young people about healthy relationships and consent.
Stronger training to police officers on violence against women and girls.
There will be a review of sentencing powers because the Labour Party believe that some criminal sentences do not make sense to the victim or the wider public.

Prevention

The introduction of specialist rape and sexual offences teams in every police force.
The most prolific and harmful perpetrators will be targeted, using tactics normally reserved for terrorist and organised crime.
The use of Stalking Protection Orders will be strengthened.
A new criminal offence of spiking — giving someone alcohol or drugs without their consent — will be introduced.
Anyone with a history of violence against women and girls will be barred from joining the police.
There will be an automatic suspensions for police officers investigated for domestic abuse.
To build on the Online Safety Act 2023, bringing forward provisions as quickly as possible, and explore further measures to keep everyone safe online, particularly when using social media.

Eradicate

Fast track rape prosecutions in specialist courts at every Crown Court in England and Wales.
Strengthen the rights and protections available to women in co-habiting couples.
Strengthen the rights and protections available for whistleblowers in the workplace, including on sexual harassment.

Phillips said:

“What it makes me feel is urgent and desperate to make it so that the very first time that Niamh comes forward and suffers, that services and systems are in place for her. But more so that we need to be moving every single mountain that we can to ensure that we stop the perpetration of that abuse.

“This is not something that should just be women’s responsibility about where they can and can’t go.”

CICA – making a claim for abuse

If you have been a victim of sexual or physical assault in public, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the damages. The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) is there to pay out compensation if you have sustained a criminal injury directly attributable to being a direct victim of a crime of violence committed in a relevant place.

At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we can assist you in making your claim, and help you claim the compensation you are entitled to.

When can I make a claim?

If you have been a victim of a ‘Crime of Violence’, you may be entitled to make a claim.

The CICA defines a ‘Crime of Violence’ as a crime which, by intention or recklessness, involves any of the following:

A physical attack
Any other act (or failure to act) of a violent nature which causes physical injury to a person
A threat against a person causing fear of immediate violence
Sexual assault
Arson

The incident also needs to have occurred in a ‘relevant place’. This means anywhere in Great Britain, however, there are also some further niche areas that fall under the CICA’s definition, such as, if crime happened on a British-controlled aircraft, a British-controlled hovercraft, or a lighthouse off the coast of Great Britain.

Time limits

As a general rule, the crime must have taken place within the last two years to put in a criminal injury application to the CICA. There can be exceptions to this rule if, due to exceptional circumstances, the applicant could not have applied earlier.

If an applicant was a child under the age of 18 on the date of the criminal incident, they have until they turn 20 years old to submit a claim.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the police have been known to tell an individual not to put in a claim to the CICA until after a criminal investigation has concluded however this can put you in severe danger of missing the pre-imposed deadlines that have been set.

Other conditions I should be aware of?

The CICA has strict guidelines for a successful claim, which we can help you navigate. However, some of the outlines include the following:

The crime must have been reported to the police as soon as ‘reasonably practicable’
The applicant must have fully co-operated with the police
The applicant must fully co-operate with the CICA claims officer

There are also rules in place if you have any previous convictions.

Why should I use Oakwood Solicitors Ltd?

Oakwood Solicitors Ltd agrees to work on your CICA criminal injury claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be expected to pay us a penny. If you are successful in your claim, we take a percentage of the compensation meaning that the only time we will receive money is if we have brought your claim to a fruitful conclusion.

You will have a dedicated advisor who will see your claim through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have. If it is preferable to you, we are able to assign you one of our female advisors to carry out your claim.

Your case handler will also continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible.

Women’s safety branded ‘national emergency’ as 80% feel scared to walk home alone