Better Late Than Never - The UK Finally Declares Violence Against Women and Girls a National Emergency!✊🏿✊🏽✊🏻

It's taken yet another horrific incident for the powers that be to wake up, but here we are. The recent stabbing of an 11-year-old girl in London's Leicester Square has finally pushed violence against women and girls (VAWG) into the spotlight as a "national emergency." It's about damn time.

The Harsh Reality We're Living

I don't know about you, but these numbers hit close to home:

• A staggering 2 million of us face offences like stalking, harassment, sexual assault, and domestic abuse each year.
• Violent crimes against women and girls have shot up by 37% from 2018 to 2023.
• Last year alone, over 1 million crimes against women and girls were recorded. That's 20% of all police-logged crimes, girls!

And let's be real – we all know someone who's been through it but never reported it. These numbers? They're just the tip of the iceberg.

It's Not You, It's Misogyny

Look, we're not just talking about "bad things happening to women." We're talking about a systemic problem rooted in good old-fashioned misogyny. When 77% of domestic homicide victims are female, and 96% of suspects are male, we can't ignore the elephant in the room: this is predominantly male violence against women.

The Internet: A Double-Edged Sword

Remember when our biggest online worry was choosing the perfect picture to post on social media? Now, we're dealing with the likes of Andrew Tate spreading toxic masculinity faster than we can say "unfollow." It's not just annoying – it's dangerous. Young men are being radicalised, and it's affecting how they treat us in real life.

So, What Now?

We can't just sit back and wait for things to change. Here's what we must continue to do:

1. Speak Up: Challenge misogyny when you see it, even if it's your mate's "harmless" joke.
2. Educate: Talk to the young people in your life about respect and consent. It's never too early.
3. Support Each Other: Check in on your friends. Sometimes, a simple "Are you okay?" can make all the difference.
4. Use Tech for Good: There are apps out there designed to keep us safe. Let's use them and spread the word.
5. Demand Better: Push for better support services in your area. Our voices are stronger together.

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We're In This Together

Look, this isn't just another headline we can scroll past. This is our lives, our safety, our future. The fact that VAWG is now a "national emergency" isn't just scary – it's a call to action.

To every woman and young girl out there: We've got each other's backs. Let's turn this emergency into a revolution. It's time to reclaim our streets, our nights out, our peace of mind. We shouldn't have to live in fear, and together, we can change this narrative.

Remember, you're not alone in this. We're a community, and together, we're a force to be reckoned with. Let's keep pushing, keep supporting, and keep believing. Our time is now, and our power is unstoppable.