A new campaign against gender based violence called Stow Sisterhood held a march in Walthamstow yesterday, with over 150 people turning up, reports Marco Marcelline
150 people turned out to march against sexual violence and harassment of women and girls in Walthamstow yesterday (Sunday 6th).
Marchers, who were mainly women, gathered at Walthamstow Town Square before walking up Hoe Street, passing the town hall, reaching Wood Street, and then cutting through Orford Road in the Village.
The protest, called Stow Sisterhood, was organised after a woman in her thirties was violently attacked while walking though Walthamstow Town Square in the early hours of Sunday, 29th June.
Police have since launched a rape investigation, though it is understood there has not yet been an arrest.
Stow Sisterhood co-founder and local teacher Jez King said she was enraged after reading about the reported rape.
“I personally felt really angry about it; how can it have happened in such a public space? It was so horrific.
“I took my anger out in a post on a local community page on Facebook and that was when Alex [co-founder Alexandra Sarney] replied to me and said we needed a march. We had a call about it and then I obtained the necessary permissions from Waltham Forest Council and we got it going.”
Local Labour councillors including council leader Grace Williams participated in the march on the day, while Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy made a speech in the town square.
On social media following the event on Sunday 6th, Creasy wrote: “Thank you to everyone who came today to protest about violence against women and girls in our community – we should demand better from all involved in ending gender based violence because we can see what has worked elsewhere.”
Speaking to the Echo, Jez said there were known hot spots in Walthamstow that many women and girls avoid for fear of harassment.
“After dark, I don’t go down the High Street at all; I just don’t feel safe there at night and never have. Lots of women I know avoid Hoe Street, particularly around Walthamstow Central Station. I’ve heard of people getting stared at, touched up, and followed. A lot of women are scared. Going out, there’s just a constant worry of ‘what might happen to me’.
“People might say, ‘Oh but why don’t you just get an Uber home?’ Some of us can’t even trust the Uber we’re getting into is safe either. Some friends are going out with DeepHeat sprays in place of pepper sprays.”
The march has however given Jez and Alexandra some “hope” that things can change.
Jez said: “It feels like the start of something bigger and more sustainable. I would hope that what comes out of this is better street lighting, CCTV, police officers, more preventative action and teaching of young men and boys on toxic masculinity and changing how they see women and girls.
She added: “Men can certainly join in our movement – and it is important they do. I want them to understand we’re not accusing you or blaming you, we’re just waiting for you to listen to us and call out your friends if they say something that is not OK.”
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