“Women and girls must have the freedom to live without fear of abuse and harassment.”
“We have these conversations and then they disappear from the public eye. But the fact that it is not talked about constantly does not mean that women do not receive threats, rude hisses and harassment all the time ”.
Reegan Kay was walking back to her Bristol University accommodation after a night out with friends in November when she was assaulted by a man who broke her front tooth and rendered her unconscious. This was related by the 21-year-old to the BBC’s Newsbeat radio program. “It is part of our daily existence”He added. But she chose not to keep quiet about what happened and instead posted the details, including photos of her injuries, on Twitter.
Kay described how a man assaulted her “for saying no,” that he spat at her, ripped off her dress, and punched her in the face.
“It happens a lot more than people realize. I felt that if I said something [públicamente]That would encourage other people, when something similar happens, to share their experiences ”.
“A safe community to share”
Earlier this year, women’s safety made headlines in the UK and was a major talking point after of the murder of Sarah Everard by a policeman.
Kay says the conversation and the coverage encouraged her to speak up.
“I feel that with so many women who have spoken [de lo que les pasó]Even if there was some negativity, I would have a safe community to share my experiences ”.
“There would be solidarity with other women who have gone through similar things.”
Wait, by sharing your experience, keep the discussion on women’s safety open.
“I don’t think people who don’t experience it should go on with their lives and not have to think about it.”
“If things are going to change, everyone has to think about it consciously, all time”.
The reaction to Kay’s post has been “overwhelmingly positive,” but there has been a small amount of negative feedback.
He has also received abusive messages from men who blame her for what happened and ask for explicit photographs.
“Some people said he was lying to try to get free dental care. There were people who said I deserved it because I must have had a certain attitude and It wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been wearing a dress. “
“A very small but noisy, cruel minority. And those attitudes are always present in many people ”.
Kay has reported what happened to the police.
An Avon and Somerset police spokesman told Newsbeat that “violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls in any form is not acceptable and simply will not be tolerated.”
He said police were reviewing CCTV footage of the area at the time of the incident.
“Women and girls should have the freedom to live without fear of abuse and bullying and we are committed to protecting, supporting and empowering victims so that together we can put an end to male violence against them ”.
Since the assault, Kay admits that He has had to fight to stay well and that every day has its “ups and downs.”
“I am having a hard time eating and sleeping. I feel very sensitive, vulnerable and scared, ”she says.
“But it also comforts me to have very good friends around me.”
He hopes that by talking about his own experience, It will empower other people to do the same.
“Defending bodily autonomy and the right to feel safe is the most important thing,” she adds.
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
