On March 3rd, a woman’s worst nightmare came true. Sarah Everard was walking to her apartment after leaving her friend’s house in a London neighborhood around 9 pm. Sarah did everything we are told to do. She wore bright clothing and shoes she could run in, took a longer route that was well-lit and well-populated, and even checked in with her boyfriend to let him know where she was and when she was leaving. But that simply wasn’t enough. Wayne Couzens, a 48-year-old London police officer, kidnapped and brutally murdered Everard on her way home. She was murdered by the very person who had sworn to protect her. Sarah’s remains were later found in a wooded area more than 50 miles from where she was last seen. 

         On Saturday, thousands of people attended a vigil in tribute to Sarah Everard, which later turned into a protest against police brutality, violence against women, and a bill to give police more power over protests. Hundreds shouted, “Arrest your own!” in reference to Wayne Couzens. Four protesters were arrested, but the fight is not over.

     The protest resurfaced a study held in the U.K. where over one thousand women were surveyed in regards to sexual assault, sexual harassment, and rape. The results were devastating, but, sadly, expected. A crushing 97% of women over the age of 18 had experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lives. Society has to do better; we shouldn’t have to be scared to walk home.  End our fear.