So how safe do you feel strolling the streets of our terrific town?
Let’s be honest, if you’re a bloke, you probably haven’t given it a measly minute’s thought, but as a woman walking warily is probably always on your mind.
I may be late to the party words wise – damn that fortnightly print run, but female fury at the senseless killings of Sarah Everard, and Sabina Nessa, has not dampened the debate.
Airwaves were full of awful anecdotes, newspapers ran reams of troubled tales, and social media soon kicked in with protest pages,
And, of course, our bold Barry, was very much of the moment.
Respect to all the local ladies who attended the ‘Reclaim The Night’ Vigil on King Square to clutch a lighted candle in remembrance, and peacefully protest at the need to start taking out town’s safety for women seriously.
Total thanks to the organiser for getting it all together at such notice. Such a great gang of women, of all ages showed up in support, and I look forward to making my feelings known at other demo days soon.
Please keep the pressure up for our daughters, grand-daughters, sisters, Sistas, female friends, and every woman affected by male violence.
Mind you, as we stood there listening to plenty of powerful speakers, the Square was like Piccadily Circus
Scooter riders swirling around us, packs of lads pootling about, and tons of teenagers circling Central Park.
All very much minding their own business or pottering past for a little nose at what we were doing, but would they have seemed threatening if I was a woman walking up Holton Road…probably.
And that’s the rub for me.
Barry’s streets are not particularly dark and dangerous it’s the perception that for females they certainly could be.
Every woman I know, has planned her after hours activities like a military operation, talked on the phone or clutched her car keys in her hand whilst walking alone, and felt very vulnerable strolling solo as darkness falls.
It so shouldn’t be like that.
Most men should be seen as no threat at all, our sons, my own included, should be all educated on opposite sex respect, and we should all be able lives our lives free from fear.
What do you think?
Mrs SVJ
The Voice of Our Community
Sue Vincent-Jones, blogging as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and activist. She writes about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
Written exclusively for the Vale’s newest newspaper, and digital platform, The Glamorgan Star, her latest ‘Passing Comment’ column, an addition to the infamous Sue’s Views collection, can be found here.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.