Joint statement on the two year anniversary of the murder of Sarah Everard

Statement from Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green, on the second anniversary of the murder of Sarah Everard: 

"On the second anniversary of the brutal murder of Sarah Everard, we remain deeply affected and horrified by what happened to Sarah and send our love to her family at what will be a difficult time for them.

"As we said two years ago, no woman or girl should have to live in fear of going out. No woman or girl should have to think about changing their normal route, whether to wear headphones, hold keys between their fingers, wear trainers in case they need to run, or have to let their family and friends know they got home safely. But we know that they do.

"And no woman or girl should ever have to fear the police. It is truly damning to have to say this. But it’s important that we do.

“Since 2019, Greater Manchester has seen 43 women killed by men. We remain determined to tackle all forms of gender-based violence as a priority, and through a whole systems approach. That is, how our local councils, police, other services, and our communities of Greater Manchester can come together to improve the lives and safety of women and girls across the city-region.

“By the end of spring, we will have established a panel of lived experience, which will be just one way that we will hear the voices of victims and survivors. The voices of people with lived experience have been central when developing our Gender-Based Violence Strategy, and we are committed that their voices remain central.

"We will also continue to challenge the attitudes, biases and behaviours that enable gender-based violence to occur. We have continued with our award-winning #IsThisOK? campaign. This current phase asks men, lads and boys to talk about gender-based violence, to recognise what women and girls disproportionately experience, and understand how it makes them feel less safe. Work is also ongoing to deliver a long-term programme of education about gender-based violence, aimed at and for children and young people in schools, colleges and universities.

"The lives of far too many women and girls have been destroyed by male violence. We remain committed to delivering the Gender-Based Violence Strategy and calling on Greater Manchester to come together, to change the story, and help build a safer city-region."

Article Published: 03/03/2023 12:29 PM