UK Government and Opposition unite to back our #IWalkWithWomen campaign

"We will not put up with this any longer" Leading Conservative and Labour MPs want to end violence against women and girls

Author: Mick CoylePublished 7th Sep 2021
Last updated 24th May 2022

Leading MPs are backing our campaign to end violence against women and girls.

#IWalkWithWomen was launched after the death of Sarah Everard in March 2020.

Sarah's death sparked an outpouring of emotion nationally, and opened up the conversation about the violence, threats and harassment women face - sometimes on a daily basis.

We want to make sure this issue remains in the public spotlight and are calling on authorities to act to protect women and girls.

Exclusive #IWalkWithWomen survey results

Last week we published findings from our exclusive survey in partnership with GoFundMe, and radio stations across the country. It found:

  • 77% said the death of Sarah Everard was a defining moment for women's safety
  • Around half (48%) of women said they felt less safe in the six months after her death
  • 75% of women have become more vigilant of the dangers around them.
  • 15% have learned self defence in case they are attacked

Government backs campaign

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland is the latest high profile MP to back our campaign.

He insists the government is doing what it can to end violence, and support victims who come forward.

The Secretary of State for Justice told us: "Can I warmly support the #IWalkWithWomen campaign.

"I remember saying in the House of Commons at the time of the murder of Sarah Everard that we needed to do more, that no woman should feel unsafe on our streets.

"We are working already to increase resources to our police, to increase police numbers and to improve the way in which the system responds to crime.

"I've been leading the Rape Review, I want to make sure we prosecute more rape and serious sexual offences. I want to make sure those women, and men, bringing forward their complaints are dealt with in a humane and supportive way."

Labour Party backs #IWalkWithWomen

MPs from both sides of the house are supporting the campaign.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy spoke to our Westminster Correspondent Georgie Prodromou about why it is so important

The Labour MP said: "I think the tragic death of Sarah Everard was a real watershed moment in Britain when many, many women came forward and said we will not accept any longer, a settlement we've put up with for all of our lives.

"The constant drumbeat of everyday sexism that all women have to endure in their day to day lives, and the knowledge that there are times when women are simply not safe to walk the streets.

"That's something women of my generation have just simply accepted all of our lives and I think its really welcome campaigns like this are standing up and galvanising women and men who believe we can do better and say 'We will not put up with this any longer'.

"This has got to be the moment when things start to change."

#IWalkWithWomen Special Event

We gathered high profile names, and campaigners together earlier this year for an emotional and hard-hitting #IWalkWithWomen live event

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