A British lawmaker proposed a curfew at 6pm for the men after a London woman was killed on her way home at night, in a case that has shaken the country and sparked intense debate over women’s safety.
Baroness Jenny Jones, a member of the Green Party of the House of Lords, made the extreme suggestion this Wednesday during a debate on the Domestic Abuse Act.
“The week Sarah Everard was abducted, and we assume she was murdered because remains have been found in a Kent forest, I would argue that, at the next opportunity of any appropriate bill, she could introduce an amendment to create a curfew for men on the street after 6 p.m., which I think will make women much safer and reduce discrimination of all kinds, ”Jones said, according to The Independent.
But Jones was quickly forced to explain that his proposal “was not a completely serious suggestion” and was not a party policy after a deluge of criticism from voters and other lawmakers.
“OMG, the world is going crazy. The Greens are thinking of a curfew for men after six o’clock at night: now I’ve heard it all, “said Conservative leader Susan Hall he tweeted Thursday.
In an interview with Sky News on Friday, Jones clarified that he was making a point about blaming the victims that women often face.
“I tried to emphasize that when the victim of the police blames asking the women to stay at home, we do not react. We just think it’s normal, ”the legislator said.
“That, in fact, no one makes noise when, for example, the police suggest that women stay at home. But when I suggest it, the men are in their arms.
Last week, 33-year-old Everard went missing on his way home from a friend’s house in Clapham, south London.
On Tuesday, London police officer Wayne Couzens, whose duties include protecting the royal family, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, suspected murder and indecent exposure in connection with the case.
A day later, human remains of Everard were discovered in a wooded area near Ashford, Kent.
The death of the innocent woman sparked an outpouring of anger over violence against women in the UK.
Jones, meanwhile, said he is pleased with the review of his “proposal” and hopes it will lead to a meaningful discussion about gender roles and public safety.
“Since my comments about a curfew for men to keep women safe, I’ve had a deluge of misogynistic emails and tweets. Which rather demonstrates my point of view on the problem that men have, ”the legislator said he tweeted Thursday.