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Not All Men But Almost All Women: Post About Women’s Safety Concerns In Response To Sarah Everard’s Tragedy Goes Viral
Not All Men But Almost All Women: Post About Women’s Safety Concerns In Response To Sarah Everard’s Tragedy Goes Viral

Not All Men But Almost All Women: Post About Women’s Safety Concerns In Response To Sarah Everard’s Tragedy Goes Viral

Interview With Author

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In the aftermath of the tragic death and suspected murder of Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive from South London, the police made door-to-door inquiries reportedly warning women not to wander alone in the streets. In turn, many felt like such an approach only adds to the already flawed culture of victim-blaming.

Lucy Mountain, a personal trainer and Instagram influencer, is just like many women who tread those pavements day after day and think of the surrounding neighborhoods and streets in them as their home. So she felt an urge to use her Instagram platform of 463k followers to voice her views on how “a woman was not allowed to walk home” in light of Sarah Everard’s case.

Lucy penned a powerful message that shed light on what women go through every day as part of their auto-pilot defense mechanism. Perpetual fear of being approached, harassed, and hurt has penetrated our ways of going through our daily lives from the very core and since childhood, the author claimed.

So let’s see her powerful and heartbreaking message that has since gone viral with 2.6 million likes, that will make you pause and reflect.

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    Lucy Mountain penned this powerful message about women not allowed to walk alone in light of Sarah Everard’s tragic murder

    Image credits: lucymountain

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    Bored Panda reached Lucy Mountain, a personal trainer and founder of Nobs Guides, whose heartfelt post on Instagram went viral, resonating with more than 2.6 million people. Lucy told us that she, just like many women, relates to Sarah since “Any of us could have been her.”

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    Image credits: lucymountain

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    “We have all done that walk after dark. We have all taken the precautions of wearing flat shoes, calling a loved one and sticking to main roads,” Lucy stated. She said that “these are all things women are ‘advised’ to do to protect themselves, and it’s still not enough.”

    “‘Text me when you get home’ is a text which we all send and receive—and the relatability of this perfectly describes how normalized it is for women to not feel safe when they are alone. This is not okay.”

    Lucy also said that the reactions she got from people were “extremely bittersweet.” “On the one hand, I am so proud of the conversations which have been opened up and the stories shared by extremely brave women. It’s given us time to reflect on our own past experiences of harassment—and help us potentially find closure on situations where we were victim-blamed.”

    In the aftermath of Sarah’s murder, police reportedly warned women to be careful about venturing out alone

    Image credits: LambethMPS

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    However, Lucy feels that “it’s heartbreaking that the post felt so relatable to so many women,” and added that “4 days on, there is still an influx of ‘whataboutism’ from people trying to derail the conversation.” But for the most part, the personal trainer feels that the feedback has been mainly support and self-reflection “from men by their own actions and women on their past experiences.”

    “We need to stop teaching women how to better protect themselves from men and teach men how to stop harassing and attacking women. The conversation shouldn’t be telling women what type of clothing they should wear so as not to ‘provoke’ an attack. The conversation shouldn’t be telling women to not go outside after a certain time.”

    This conversation “is about how we stop harassment from men being such a normalized part of a woman’s life experience,” Lucy concluded.

    Lucy’s message tugged deeply at the heartstrings and touched 2.6 million people on Instagram

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    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Read less »
    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

    Read less »

    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

    What do you think ?
    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Saw a headline today: "Women should feel heard". No. Women should BE heard. And others should *listen*. *sigh*

    DC
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Elizabeth Luttreel should NOT be heard, because she's a bot - but everyone else. And, further - everybody should take it serious. This isn't about changing predators ... we won't, we can't, at least not on the spot or against their will. This article to me is a reminder to always prefer caution before bravery, to walk the extra mile (to your sister's, female friend's, ... home) because not doing so might prove itself highly regrettable. Honestly, depriving a predatory man from a chance to execute this behaviour even may count as something done for them, too, as not committing a crime is the best way to evade any punishment - and whoever hasn't done any wrong yet is one where it's not too late to reevaluate themselves. And, in general, this isn't saying women deserved any of this. They don't, no one deserves the need to be cautious when they're doing nothing special ... but still, it might be necessary ... and this isn't about feeling uncomfortable either ... I wish it was only that...

    Load More Replies...
    Cherie of Numenor
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have two daughters, ages 20 and 22, and this terrifies me. Text me when you get home is my standard phrase to them. I can also track them on my phone. I hope nothing bad ever happens......RIP Sarah

    Scagsy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I read that I thought about all the women in my life and it made me scared for them. Society should not tolerate this. Perhaps we could put one or two police back on the beat to patrol lonely areas?

    Memere
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Since it was a police officer who kidnapped & murdered Sarah, I'm not sure extra officers on patrol would be that helpful.

    Load More Replies...
    Deborah B
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How about a male curfew? No man allowed out after 8pm unless escorted by a woman. He can be inside in his registered place of work, or inside at his home, between 8pm and 5am, or he must be escorted by a responsible adult woman. If he needs to go someplace, he goes with a woman. Just as a temporary measure, until men stop attacking women.

    Deborah B
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And in case I wasn't clear enough for the not-all-men-ers; Yes, I'm being ironic. But this is what it is like to be a woman. Any time you go out alone at night, you aren't safe. How about men take a turn carrying the cost of that?

    Load More Replies...
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My male partner was very surprised when I explained him that women that sell items online never do it from their home (unless they are too big) because there is a big chance that they will get assaulted. Or how we do things like mentioning that our partner is about to arrive to make sure that men dont try anything. He never even thought about it. Its crazy how many things women need to think about that men never need to.

    Requiem
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hes not experienced in those things, lives a normal safe space life. I dont deal with strangers in selling things with out treating it like Im making a deal with armed criminals.

    Load More Replies...
    DC
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's actually sad. I mean ... we get people to the moon, we get people propelled at 300 mph on the ground, and even faster, people get themselves through cold turkey of whatever they enjoyed a little too much - but some pesty assholes cannot think with their brain instead of their d***s? Just that it has a lot of nerves in it doesn't make it a proper tool for logic, self control and other mental tasks that seem a little bit too challenging to some. Don't be that way! Rather be the friend walking with them to prevent them from meeting a nonfriend walking with them ... sad that this is necessary sometimes.

    DC
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And I'd rather say "build a safe society, where no one ever has to experience harassment, violence or any of that", but I can't seriously tell anyone how to do this. No matter how sad it is that this is necessary - being prepared might be highly advisable. Most predatorious men, it seems, don't expect any severe resistance, but all of them deserve it. It's just ... damned, again, a minority of illthinking people ruin a lot for everyone else, and there isn't much we civilized people can do about it, but counter the effects (by walking home a female friend, your sister, ...), learn to defend ourselves and the like ... but then, again - could a rapist write this? Of course! They won't tell you in advance, in broad daylight, that they're up to something they shouldn't. Unless there are no more of those, there is no way to feel safe (for a lot of reasons, of which being female is one of the most infuriating). And, I don't take anything as punishment - I get that this isn't even about that.

    Load More Replies...
    Pazuzu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i,m a guy and i don,t know how many times my friend told me she had to hide in bushes while walking home.it absolutely sickens me she,and many others have to go through this ordeal all the time. i feel angry and ashamed

    JennyBee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not the only person who used to do that??? I don't walk home now but when I did I hardly had to walk...it still horrified me

    Load More Replies...
    Slune
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And it's not only the young women. I'm over the hill but I always have a awl in my fist when I'm having my way home in the dark. The awl is a very handy and small gadget and I'm used to it on work.

    InfectedVoice
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am always walking the dogs at night, through poorly lit areas, through woodland, all the while listening to loud music, which makes me even more unaware of my surroundings. I take that for granted that I can lose myself in music and and not have to look over my shoulder.

    Load More Comments
    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Saw a headline today: "Women should feel heard". No. Women should BE heard. And others should *listen*. *sigh*

    DC
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Elizabeth Luttreel should NOT be heard, because she's a bot - but everyone else. And, further - everybody should take it serious. This isn't about changing predators ... we won't, we can't, at least not on the spot or against their will. This article to me is a reminder to always prefer caution before bravery, to walk the extra mile (to your sister's, female friend's, ... home) because not doing so might prove itself highly regrettable. Honestly, depriving a predatory man from a chance to execute this behaviour even may count as something done for them, too, as not committing a crime is the best way to evade any punishment - and whoever hasn't done any wrong yet is one where it's not too late to reevaluate themselves. And, in general, this isn't saying women deserved any of this. They don't, no one deserves the need to be cautious when they're doing nothing special ... but still, it might be necessary ... and this isn't about feeling uncomfortable either ... I wish it was only that...

    Load More Replies...
    Cherie of Numenor
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have two daughters, ages 20 and 22, and this terrifies me. Text me when you get home is my standard phrase to them. I can also track them on my phone. I hope nothing bad ever happens......RIP Sarah

    Scagsy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I read that I thought about all the women in my life and it made me scared for them. Society should not tolerate this. Perhaps we could put one or two police back on the beat to patrol lonely areas?

    Memere
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Since it was a police officer who kidnapped & murdered Sarah, I'm not sure extra officers on patrol would be that helpful.

    Load More Replies...
    Deborah B
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How about a male curfew? No man allowed out after 8pm unless escorted by a woman. He can be inside in his registered place of work, or inside at his home, between 8pm and 5am, or he must be escorted by a responsible adult woman. If he needs to go someplace, he goes with a woman. Just as a temporary measure, until men stop attacking women.

    Deborah B
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And in case I wasn't clear enough for the not-all-men-ers; Yes, I'm being ironic. But this is what it is like to be a woman. Any time you go out alone at night, you aren't safe. How about men take a turn carrying the cost of that?

    Load More Replies...
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My male partner was very surprised when I explained him that women that sell items online never do it from their home (unless they are too big) because there is a big chance that they will get assaulted. Or how we do things like mentioning that our partner is about to arrive to make sure that men dont try anything. He never even thought about it. Its crazy how many things women need to think about that men never need to.

    Requiem
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hes not experienced in those things, lives a normal safe space life. I dont deal with strangers in selling things with out treating it like Im making a deal with armed criminals.

    Load More Replies...
    DC
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's actually sad. I mean ... we get people to the moon, we get people propelled at 300 mph on the ground, and even faster, people get themselves through cold turkey of whatever they enjoyed a little too much - but some pesty assholes cannot think with their brain instead of their d***s? Just that it has a lot of nerves in it doesn't make it a proper tool for logic, self control and other mental tasks that seem a little bit too challenging to some. Don't be that way! Rather be the friend walking with them to prevent them from meeting a nonfriend walking with them ... sad that this is necessary sometimes.

    DC
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And I'd rather say "build a safe society, where no one ever has to experience harassment, violence or any of that", but I can't seriously tell anyone how to do this. No matter how sad it is that this is necessary - being prepared might be highly advisable. Most predatorious men, it seems, don't expect any severe resistance, but all of them deserve it. It's just ... damned, again, a minority of illthinking people ruin a lot for everyone else, and there isn't much we civilized people can do about it, but counter the effects (by walking home a female friend, your sister, ...), learn to defend ourselves and the like ... but then, again - could a rapist write this? Of course! They won't tell you in advance, in broad daylight, that they're up to something they shouldn't. Unless there are no more of those, there is no way to feel safe (for a lot of reasons, of which being female is one of the most infuriating). And, I don't take anything as punishment - I get that this isn't even about that.

    Load More Replies...
    Pazuzu
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i,m a guy and i don,t know how many times my friend told me she had to hide in bushes while walking home.it absolutely sickens me she,and many others have to go through this ordeal all the time. i feel angry and ashamed

    JennyBee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not the only person who used to do that??? I don't walk home now but when I did I hardly had to walk...it still horrified me

    Load More Replies...
    Slune
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And it's not only the young women. I'm over the hill but I always have a awl in my fist when I'm having my way home in the dark. The awl is a very handy and small gadget and I'm used to it on work.

    InfectedVoice
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am always walking the dogs at night, through poorly lit areas, through woodland, all the while listening to loud music, which makes me even more unaware of my surroundings. I take that for granted that I can lose myself in music and and not have to look over my shoulder.

    Load More Comments
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