Rotherham Councillor Eve Rose Keenan: 'We must keep talking about violence against women & girls'
The 58-year-old from Rotherham's Labour party thinks the issue can be tackled head-on in the classroom
A member of Rotherham's Labour Party insists women and girls across South Yorkshire 'shouldn't still be living in fear' in 2021.
Councillor Eve Rose Keenan-who's also a survivor of child sexual exploitation-wants abuse to be discussed more openly in schools in an effort to tackle the problem.
The 58-year-old's been speaking to us after Wayne Couzens was given a whole-life prison sentence yesterday for the murder of Sarah Everard earlier this year:
"I've got a young daughter and she's my world. She's my absolute world. I believed this world was going to change for the better for her as she grew up, but it hasn't.
"If anything, violence against women and girls is getting worse again. I'm fearful for her.
"Look at the recent cases involving Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard. Women are getting abused and attacked every single day in this country.
"Something needs to change right at the heart of children's education.
"We need to give better relationship advice to our young people. That really needs to improve in the classroom. There's so much which needs to change.
"Women and girls are fearful just walking down the street. We shouldn't have to live like this anymore."
Meanwhile, Eve received a standing ovation after making a speech at the Labour Party conference earlier this week, in which she recalled how she gave evidence against someone who abused her as a child.
People in need of any extra emotional support can contact Rotherham's Abuse Counselling Service on 01709 835482.