Violence against women

What women want: Men to be educated

Men need to be better educated on the issues women face every day, according to a new Liverpool Life survey. By EMILY ASH

Following the death of Sarah Everard and the outcry over violence against women we asked women to discuss their concerns.

Our first question was: “What is the biggest problem you face that men don’t have to think about in your opinion?”

We learned that roughly 70% of responses included mentioning not feeling safe on their own in some form or another. Answers such as, “Walking anywhere alone, night or day” and “Feeling safe when alone in bars/evening venues” were common amongst respondents.

One woman said: “Walking alone and worrying about being attacked, particularly at night, or worrying that if you get too drunk, you’ll be assaulted/taken advantage of.”

“Fear of sexual harassment” and “Being safe on a night out” was another big issue women have to think about.

They were also asked for their solutions to the problems they mentioned. Some of the answers we received included: “Telling people my location, using safety apps, trying to avoid walking alone especially at night” and “More active police on the streets”.

One woman said that she avoids places: “Not going to places unfamiliar or alone”

There was also an idea of safety in numbers shown through some of the women surveyed, as 40% of them answered in relation to this.

Some of the answers included: “Making sure I have my phone with me and staying with people I know” and “Staying with a group of friends at all times.”

Other women thought about what should already be in place for safety. One answered: “Paths being lit up at night”.

So, what is the fix?

Overwhelmingly the answer women gave was education for men into the issues.

In fact, it was the answer every woman gave in response to the question, What do you think needs to be done to prevent these issues?

It seems that women are in agreement that men have a certain amount of ignorance into the issues raised. 100% of respondents mentioned that some form of education, mostly from an early age, for men and boys is needed as a permanent fix.

A common, and at times frustrating, argument that is seen online is that “not all men” are responsible for the high percentage of women who have faced a form of sexual assault.

While it is a valid point and for the most part true, ignorance seems to be the main point of being made by women.

The use of a hashtag is also currently being used to explain why the argument is invalid. @TyeTrotman on Twitter posted: “Twitter is a hard place to be on as the truth does shine through. Black Lives Matter countered by... all lives matter?

“Women being sexually assaulted countered by... #NotAllMen? It seems we live in a world in which people can only comprehend what affects them and it’s shameful.”

Boris Johnson recently announced he was doubling the Safer Streets fund to £45 million which will include funding for more CCTV and

PROTEST: A sign criticising the “not all men” argument Pictures by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona

street lighting which will target routes to and from bar and clubs as well as parks and alleyways.

The Government has announced they would be taking steps to reassure girls and women following the events of the past few weeks.

There is also a proposal for undercover police officers to be introduced to nightclubs when they reopen.

This has been met with mixed reactions, as some people have suggested that the police have exacerbated recent issues.