Bobbi-Anne McLeod: Calls for more support to tackle violence against women

A march was held in Plymouth on Saturday after the teenager's killer was jailed

Elle Butcher speaking at march in memory of Bobbi-Anne McLeod
Author: Emma HartPublished 23rd May 2022
Last updated 23rd May 2022

Organisers of a march in memory of Plymouth teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod, say too many women still do not feel safe on our streets.

They are calling for more support to tackle violence against women and girls, after her killer was jailed for life.

On Thursday, 24-year-old Cody Ackland from the Southway area of the city was sentenced to a minimum of 31 years in prison.

He confessed to the 18-year-old's abduction and brutal murder in November of last year.

On Saturday, locals and campaigners came together for a march in Bobbi-Anne's memory.

They wore purple, lit candles and held a minute's silence as a mark of respect.

Elle Butcher, who is the same age as Bobbi-Anne, was among the organisers and said many women still do not feel safe.

Speaking before the event, she said: "We need a lot more support, especially from the men's side of it.

"A lot of them just kind of think that this is some feminist group and that we're just a bunch of girls shouting at men because we don't like them; it's not that at all. We think that men are awesome, we think that men are cool, but it's the fact that we need them on our side to gain change from this.

"I definitely don't feel safe. I definitely don't go out on my own. I would never go out into town by myself without any of my friends or go to the bathroom without any of my friends.

"It is really upsetting and it is terrible that we have to take these precautions as women but unfortunately, in this day and time, we do have to do that".

You can watch Elle's emotional speech following Saturday's march below...

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