#HerNameWasClaireParry

I am a big fan of Scandi Noir; its slow pace, lighting, language and complex stories where young girls and women are hunted and haunted, handmaidens for male physical and sexual pleasure and purpose.

However, the past 24 hours has made me seriously evaluate my role as a woman, as a Feminist and as a consumer of a genre that normalises male violence against women for entertainment; because yesterday was a dark day for the four nations of the UK.

Many women and girls in England and Wales will be wondering where to turn for justice and safety following the unforgivable verdict in the murder trial of Claire Perry.

Like a character in a thriller, Police Officer Timothy Brehmer was a known womaniser, exploiting women to feed his sexual appetite without remorse or care for his wife or the ‘other women’ in his life. A Sexual Dominator.

However, unlike a thriller series where the male murderer is either killed in a police shoot-out or imprisoned for murder; the ending of this murder case leaves more questions than answers, leaves women and girls more vulnerable and more fearful, leaves a family without a mother and daughter.

Why is the English and Welsh justice system continually failing to tackle male violence against girls and women?

Reporting and conviction of rape is at an all time low and the murder of women and children is rising as we navigate living through a health pandemic.

In this case the Judge said the murderer had “lost control” rather than act on an intent to harm or kill Claire Perry; but strangling someone takes considerable strength, control and violence.

Acquitted of murder but guilty of manslaughter this police officer or “man whore” as he was fondly known by his fellow male colleagues and friends faces 10 years in prison.

This is not justice.

This is not a justice system that is working to eradicate violence against women.

This is not a justice system that meets the needs of society and should not be considered “the best and most independent in the world”.

This is a justice system actively promoting and propping up patriarchy and misogyny. A veritable boys club whose members support and are filled full of women haters, women cheaters and women batterers all parading in plain sight.

As we continue to wait for the Domestic Abuse Bill to become law, wait for the UK Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention, wait and wait some more for Welsh Government to deliver on their promise of a feminist government, women and girls still face a world in which they are hunted and haunted and handmaidens of male physical and sexual pleasure and purpose.

This endless series of male violence needs to stop and justice needs to protect and prevail.

Written in memory of all the women and children who have lost their lives to male violence.

If you or someone you know is suffering domestic or sexual abuse you can call the following 24/7, multi-lingual confidential helpline.

Wales

Live Fear Free — 0808 80 10 800

Bawso — 0800 731 8147

England

Refuge — 0808 2000 247

Scotland

Scottish Women’s Aid — 0800 027 1234

Northern Ireland

Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland — 0808 802 1414

Image © Parry Family