Safety on the Streets (Sarah Everard). Pre-Warning. Discussion of harm.

Alison Clare Hickman — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 07:45:39 GMT

I want to open up this subject for discussion. What are your thoughts about Women's Safety?

Here are mine...

RIP darling girl.

Her death lead me to revisit the darkest days of my rape and all those times when I felt unsafe and at risk... from the seemingly 'harmless' unsolicited sexual comments from men about my appearance that made me feel uncomfortable to the outright nasty 'flashing' of genitals and groping I've experienced...

Phew. I've learned how not to put myself in these situations and how to respond. How to dress to avoid them. Who to have to accompany me when I go out. Where to avoid going. What not to say. What to say...

But why should I have to constantly do this? Why is it always *my* responsibility? Why do men (it's mostly men) feel it's 'okay' to do this and more importantly why do we (women) put up with it?

I have heard this...

Seeking Consent should be primarily (legally) in the hands of the person *seeking* it. Currently it is the reverse.

Without gaining this Consent then whatever 'act' the person commits to perform is illegal. Example* did I consent to intercourse? No. Where is the proof of this? (See medical records). Where is his proof of Consent? He has none...well maybe the knife...

I have heard the following...

It's about respect and manners (and then it will be ok); and the rest is criminal activity (that will be dealt with).

Well, I agree! But, there's huge blot on that statement, in my opinion! This does little to solve the *realities* in our society... there is little respect, little manners and much criminal activity that doesn't get reported (my own rape for example) let alone that, that, does and is never resolved (Claudia Lawrence, 2009).

I have heard the following...

"Not All Men"

I agree. However, in my opinion, this detracts from the case by deflection. Why not take a call to arms by saying

"How Can Good Men Help?"

We need to stand together to be as powerful as we can? I know my husband is a good man. He stands by me and helps me.

Cautionary note... we were discussing this topic yesterday and he said "even some of the guys we know (close friends) would take advantage (sexually) of a woman if they had the opportunity without her consent". I was horrified. Then I remembered that a *friend* we had known for years was criminally sentenced for paedophilia. Talk about shock. No one saw that coming at all. You just don't know people really...

I guess the best we can do therefore is to ask for help by Good Men we Trust and Know Very Well. For safety's sake.

I want this to end with a message of hope and love. Let's seek peace.

Thank you for listening. ️

Working in AUS

Erin Taylor — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 20:31:38 GMT

Hi everyone,

Just branching out to see if anyone has ever been through the visa process for moving to Australia.

I'm HOPING that once I qualify (next year if everything goes to plan!) that I can move to Australia. I'm in a bit of a pickle about the visa process though. I've reached out to a few practices, just putting my name out there really, but haven't heard anything back other than "focus on your studies and not Australia".

Do I apply for jobs before or after submitting a visa application?? If anyone has been in this position or has working in AU as a VN before please give me a shout!! I'd love to get some inside knowledge on how things differ in practice compared to in the UK.

Thanks everyone!

Vet Nurse

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:04:05 GMT

Erin Taylor's Activities

Safety on the Streets (Sarah Everard). Pre-Warning. Discussion of harm.

Working in AUS

Vet Nurse