Women across Lincoln have taken to the streets today to write down their experiences of sexual harassment in chalk on the pavement, hoping to demonstrate the scale of the problem.
The event, ‘I am part of the 97%’, was organised by tattoo artist Jessica Beecham, after a statistic was published by UN Women UK, showing 97% of young women have been sexually harassed.
She said: “That statistic was a really shocking one. But I think if it was actually ingrained into people’s mind, a lot more people will be talking about it. I think as well, if we realised that 97% of people actually includes your sisters, mums, daughters and girlfriends.”
The event itself encourages anyone to go out onto Lincoln High Street and share their personal experiences. Some people wrote “I am part of the 97%”, with their name and age, “She did everything right” referring to Sarah Everard, and “Not all men, but all women”.
Inspector Claire Hime from Lincolnshire Police said: “As a force we are listening to our communities, including those who have been sexually assaulted or sexually harassed. Any sexual assault is unacceptable.”
Unlike other events, such as Reclaim These Streets, which was cancelled last weekend by Lincolnshire Police, this demonstration has been supported as long as no gatherings take place. Inspector Hime said: “We are aware of the 97% event and have plans to get in contact with the organisers.”
To keep to COVID-19 regulations, people can take part on their daily walk and will be expected to stay for no longer than 5 minutes, wear a mask and keep a 2-metre distance from others. Those attending, currently estimated at 300, must only write on the floor in chalk – as requested by the City of Lincoln Council.
So far, many messages have been written between the Curiosity Shop and South Park, but there have also been some offensive comments.
At the war memorial, next to Marks & Spencer, the sentence “Batman is coming to rape you” has appeared. There have also been some negative comments shouted by onlookers.
Tilly Bean, 22, wrote “educate your boys!” and received a reaction from a passer-by, who asked: “What about women who hit men?”
Ms Bean told The Linc: “This isn’t the conversation we are having currently. Yes, that’s bad, but what we are saying is that what men are doing to women now, like Sarah Everard, is bad.”
Sarah-May Buccieri, another participant, said: “As a woman, it is every day. As soon as I lock my door to as soon as I get back into my house, I am worried about catcalling or being followed. I’m worried about everything you have nightmares about and what you see on the TV at the minute. It’s a genuine concern.”
Emma Clipson, 30, said: “Even those slowing down and stopping to read the pavement are helping raise awareness by sparking conversations.”
After the death of Sarah Everard, 33, was announced on 10 March, many women have spoken out about being fearful of everyday activities. A serving Metropolitan police officer has since been charged with her murder.
Jessica Beecham, who organised the 97% event, believes that now is the time to talk. She said: “I do understand the question ‘why now and why not before?’ but revolutions happen every day. It gets to that breaking point – and Sarah was unfortunately that breaking point for a lot of people.”