Tribute to Sabina Nessa six months after her murder in Kidbrooke
Art piece created by her best friend is displayed at Kidbrooke Village apartments in her memory
Last updated 29th Mar 2022
An art piece of Sabina Nessa is being displayed in Kidbrooke village, six months after her tragic death.
Berkley homes have found a permanent home for the painting of Sabina at the entrance to the City Point Concierge apartment block, where she would have attended.
The work of art was created by one of her best friends Shivani as a tribute to Sabina and a continuation of her legacy.
The activity was led by a Kidbrooke community forum, a group of residents who lead on all things community around the area.
What happened to Sabina Nessa?
On the evening of 17 September 2021, 28-year-old Sabina Nessa was murdered in Southeast London.
The 28-year-primary school teacher was walking through Cator Park on the way to meet a friend at a pub near Kidbrooke railway station, when she was attacked.
Her body was found the following day in the park in Greenwich, having been beaten and strangled.
Koci Selamaj was picked up on CCTV walking through Cator park that same evening and had driven to London from Eastbourne in East Sussex.
As she was making her way through the park, he struck her unconscious before killing her. Selamaj was charged on 27 September and pleaded guilty to her murder on the 25th February at the start of his trial at the Old Bailey, he is due to be sentenced on 7 April.
READ MORE: Hundreds attend candlelit vigil for Sabina Nessa
Tackling violence against women and girls
Since Sabina’s death, Jebina Yasmin Islam paid tribute to her sister at Greenwich University where Sabina studied.
Alongside reading out a poem written by 13-year-old Sabina she said, “The realisation she is not here anymore, it kills me inside.”
She urged the government to act, “Men should be educated, boys should be educated from an early age.
“We need the government to step up and take action now and stop male violence against women."
Sabina Nessa vigil
Have a word campaign
On the 13th March, the London Mayor launched a new campaign to tackle violence against women and girls.
The “Have A Word” movement encourages men to reflect on their own behaviour and attitudes towards women, as well as the actions of friends and those around them.
Sadiq Khan launched the campaign with an advert showing a group of men harassing a young woman waiting alone outside an off-licence.
It features the leader of the group harassing the woman, while giving insight into the internal monologue of another group member who wants to say something but chooses not to.
It ends with the line, “Male violence against women and girls can start with words – but it doesn’t stop there. If you see it happening, have a word with yourself. Then your mates.”
Sadiq Khan says, “I am launching a new campaign to tackle the toxic attitudes and inappropriate behaviours of some men to help prevent violence against women and girls.
“Male violence against women and girls can start with words. If you see it happening, have a word with yourself, then your mates. It’s time we kick these rotten attitudes out of our city and society for good.”