There’s been a mood of palpable anger in the UK amongst survivors and activists, following the murder of British woman, Sarah Everard.
Sarah disappeared while walking home from a friend's house on March 3. Her body was later found in the woods and a police officer was charged with her kidnap and murder.
In the aftermath of her death, British politician Jenny Jones suggested imposing a 6pm curfew on men.
Her proposal - which she later described “as an ironic reaction.. to police advising women not to go out alone” - drew instant outrage from politicians and social media users.
Former British politician Nigel Farage tweeted it was an example of the left being “deranged”. While Welsh politician Mark Drakeford called it “a sad distraction”.
About a thousand people in London gathered to pay their respects to Sarah Everard. Source: AFP
But what did the tell us about “double standards” and would a curfew for men in Australia help to reduce gendered violence?
The Feed spoke with experts, several women and a survivor-advocate to find out.
Reframing sexual assault
Childhood sexual abuse survivor-advocate, Lula Bele, believes issues of women’s safety are too often framed as a “woman’s issue”.
Men made up of sexual violence in 2018-9. Ms Bele said despite this statistic, it’s victims’ behaviour that’s often scrutinised.
She believes the idea of a curfew for men turns victim-blaming on its head.
“We must say, when men commit violence against women in public spaces, men are the ones whose liberties and freedoms will be impinged upon, because they're the ones whose behaviour has to change, not women,” she told The Feed.
Ms Bele believes the lens in which we view sexual assault must be reframed to focus on men's use of violence against women.
“Until then... we’ll continue to put the burden on the victims, we’ll blame them for taking a risk but not hold men accountable for their behaviour.”
The disappearance of Sarah Everard as she walked home on the evening of 3 March triggered a wave of outrage. Source: AAP
The advice given to women to prevent sexual assault
Those who were outraged by the suggestion of a male curfew should consider that many women already impose a curfew on themselves to ‘prevent’ sexual assault’, one expert told The Feed.
“There’s already a curfew on women where they will limit their use of a public space, particularly at night, in response to an understanding of sexual assault,” said Dr Michael Flood, a researcher on gender and violence prevention at the Queensland University of Technology.
The Feed spoke to a number of Australian women about the measures they’ve taken - or have been advised to take - to stay safe.
“[I was told to] carry keys, pepper spray. Don’t go to a public bathroom alone. Don’t run in the dark. Get someone to walk me to my car after finishing work late,” Erin told The Feed.
“As someone who grew up on the Western train line in Sydney, I always made sure I wasn’t on the last train of the night,” another woman, who requested to be anonymous, said.
“[I was told ] not to be drunk, not get in a cab or Uber alone, get in the guard's carriage on the train. All the usual stuff women get told to be honest.”
Another woman added, “I make sure I change my [running] route... If I leave after 9pm, I make sure someone knows I should be home in an hour.”
But would a male curfew be effective?
While the proposal of a curfew highlighted ‘double standards’, it’s an ineffective measure for limiting men’s violence against women, Dr Flood said.
Dr Flood said most victims are assaulted by someone they know, such as a friend or family member, and in a familiar location, such as their home.
“COVID lockdown conditions have increased the risk of domestic violence among women,” Dr Flood added.
“[The curfew could] force them into confinement with men who have already been violent, abusive, controlling towards them.”
Several women told The Feed about advice they've received to stay safe and 'avoid' sexual assault. Source: EyeEm
What can we do instead?
Dr Flood said the issue of sexual violence should be framed in ethical terms as a fundamental violation of the victim’s right to safety.
“I think we can give men very practical steps they can take to make a difference,” Dr Flood said.
“So give men a language for expressing their concern about domestic and sexual violence, so they know what to say when a mate makes a joke about a woman ‘asking for’ rape,” he added.
Ms Bele agrees that engaging more men in topics of sexual violence and domestic abuse is a positive step towards preventing problematic behaviour.
“We absolutely need more men engaging in these topics and being realistic about their own behaviour and reflections on their own attitudes,” she told The Feed.
“We need to shift the construct in looking at what we do about men's behaviour. Not women’s behaviour.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men who are seeking help for abusive and violent behaviour towards women and families can contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
