18 March 2021
The disappearance of Sarah Everard and subsequent discovery of her body in Kent last week sent shockwaves through the country. Since then thousands of women have sent their experiences of being intimidated or harassed while walking alone at night.
On Thursday a group of women highlighted the issue in Dorset. Rather than physically coming together, they held a people-free protest - hundreds of people taking a stand - in a lockdown-compliant peaceful protest.
Jayne Jackson, a photographer and local Green Party member, asked supporters to put photos of their footwear on social media, and for people living nearby to send her their shoes for a visual display - a metaphorical stand against sexual violence.
You can watch the BBC South Today Evening News report on the action:
Jayne told BBC South Today: "Hundreds and hundreds of pairs of shoes came in, in just three days, all to the Covid-safe drop points. So I've been putting those out, with one friend, this morning. I think long term, we want change, we want more justice for survivors, less victim-blaming, more convictions, educate potential jury members to make sure that happens. But yeah, #TakeAStand!"
It follows the death of Sarah Everard, which has sparked debate about female victims and the criminal justice system.
Jayne had told BBC Radio Solent: "I'm trying to represent the people that have voices, that have opinions... at this time, as a message, particularly in Dorset which, shockingly, has the worst conviction rate for sexual offences in the country. And people are cross, and we want change, we want better. So this is a way we can voice that really positively.
"And I've had loads of support actually. I've had support from Claire Seymour, the Police & Crime Spokesperson for the [BCP] Green Party, obviously STARS Dorset, The Shine Project, Women's Action Network have stepped up. But more than that, I'm getting emails from survivors sending me their shoes, from men saying 'how can I do more, how can I educate myself?'. I want it to be a positive force for change."
Claire Seymour, BCP Green Party Policing & Crime Spokesperson, who helped Jayne put out all the shoes, said: "I loved spending today with Jayne on this campaign in Bournemouth highlighting sexual violence. I still can’t believe how many people spoke to us about the abuse they have experienced. It’s time for change."
Councillor Chris Rigby, Co-Chair of BCP Green Party, said: "I was amazed to see this action come together so quickly, the response from the community in coming together and donating their shoes allowed Jayne to create something poignant in a time when large gatherings are unfortunately illegal.
"I hope this keeps an important conversation moving, and also demonstrates to survivors the support there is across BCP.
"I'd also extend my thanks to Dorset Police for taking a sensible approach and allowing this to take place."
On the issue raised in this BBC report of Dorset having just 8 convictions in 2019 from 657 recorded rapes, the worst rate in the country, Dorset Police told the BBC it acknowledges CPS referral rates are low, but "decision-making encompasses a wider range of factors than the single objective of obtaining a conviction. These could include considerations around safeguarding, providing the appropriate support, and respecting the wishes of the victim. We are currently working with CPS Wessex and other local forces, and have developed a joint action plan in relation to rape and serious sexual offences, to try and increase the number of cases referred, but without this leading to a decrease in the number of successful convictions."
Jayne Jackson's other projects include Asking For It, a photographic exhibition highlighting victim-blaming of women - now part of a Bournemouth University research project.
