Thinking Aloud

As violence against women persists, victim blaming needs to stop

Candid conversations, stricter laws a good start as myth persists that it is women who have to insulate themselves from danger

Visitors to Clapham Common, a park in London, looking at floral tributes and messages left there for Ms Sarah Everard, 33, who was found murdered after she disappeared while walking home from Clapham earlier this month. In Singapore, even though it i
Visitors to Clapham Common, a park in London, looking at floral tributes and messages left there for Ms Sarah Everard, 33, who was found murdered after she disappeared while walking home from Clapham earlier this month. In Singapore, even though it is generally safe, there have been several high-profile cases involving sexual harassment and physical violence against women. In tackling the problem, upstream preventive measures are crucial too, says the writer. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Grace Ho
Senior Political Correspondent
Updated
Mar 21, 2021, 05:00 AM
Published
Mar 21, 2021, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

It was 17 years ago that I was attacked by a young man in England while walking home at 9pm. Drunk and laughing, he punched me and sent me crashing to the pavement.

I was lucky to get away with a few bruises and scrapes. Being a foreign student then, and not wanting to make a fuss, I did not file a police report.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 21, 2021, with the headline As violence against women persists, victim blaming needs to stop. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top