Remembering Sarah Everard one year on

3 March 2022

Today we remember Sarah Everard, and feel the shockwave that her murder sent through our community.

Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Sarah Everard’s death shocked the country and her legacy has to be active change to make women safer – more women have continued to suffer and be killed by men this year and this must end. It starts with men, and we’re focusing on how to prevent male violence and abuse before it starts. Southwark is a safe place to live, work and enjoy but we won’t rest until women have the same freedom from fear of abuse and harassment as men.

“The importance of preventing harm to women, which sadly can happen anywhere at any time, remains a key priority for the council. The council has a wide-ranging Violence Against Women and Girls action plan. We are working to create and expand the number of safe spaces where people can seek immediate refuge to call for help if they need to, and continuing training and workshops with businesses so staff can identify risk and help prevent harm to women. Many businesses have already signed our Women’s Safety Charter and preventing violence against women and girls remains one of our major work strands.

“Alongside this, we have an extensive network of CCTV coverage, which is used to support police work and we are currently carrying out an environmental audit to look at everything which could make women afraid of attack, from street lighting and overhanging trees to places where exits are concealed.”

Page last updated: 03 March 2022