Essex charity says impact of Sarah Everard case on trust in police is huge
It comes after Wayne Couzens was given a life sentence for abducting and killing Sarah Everard.
A domestic abuse charity in Essex says the police needs to do more to ensure women are protected on the streets.
It's following the sentencing of Wayne Couzens, the former police officer who was given a whole life in prison for murdering Sarah Everard.
It's after it was revealed in court that Couzens used his position as a police officer to falsely arrest her before she was abducted.
Gemma, who wanted to remain anonymous to protect her safety, works at a domestic abuse centre in Essex.
She told us it will have a negative impact in people's confidence in the authorities:
"The impact will be that every single woman will think twice when there are flashing lights behind her before she pulls over.
"They will be thinking, 'what do I do to make sure this is a legitimate intervention and not somebody trying to abduct me?'
Gemma added: "Something needs to change in how are we raising young men – I know its not always the male who is the perpetrator, but how are we raising young men to see women. We’re in 2021 and there are still women being murdered every single week.
"There is a privilege that a man has that a female, right now, in this world does not have. And I think it’s going to take a lot of people to take a long hard look, at how were educating and the type of information that were providing to young men, to tell them what's ok and how they should be treating women."
Essex police have released guidance on what to look for when verifying an officer's identity:
- Police officers will always carry identification and know they may be asked to show it for verification. They are used to providing that reassurance.
- On the rare occasions our plain clothes officers do work alone, they will be pleased to provide identification, contact colleagues to attend the scene to confirm their identity or direct you to contact our switchboard on 101 to verify their identity.
- Our officers are expected to be really clear in telling you who they are, what they are doing and why. If they have not done so, please ask them.
- If you still feel something isn’t right you should alert another person or a member of the public and ask them to call 999.
Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington said: “All of us at Essex Police are appalled by the murder of Sarah Everard. The thoughts and condolences of every one of our team are with her family and her friends.
"We understand that some women may not feel safe and that’s something we promise to put right. In the coming days, it’s absolutely understandable that some people may wish to ask our officers to show their ID or to simply ask for reassurance, and we will be happy to do this.