Teenage girls playing the sport they love are being frequently catcalled and winked at by adult men who think it is 'acceptable', the founder of a Sandwell club for women and girls has warned.
Daisey Cotterill, the founder of Any Girl Netball, says girls as young as 14 are regularly being catcalled or approached in the street by men in cars, while others have been 'winked at and watched' by men as they play at a local leisure centre.
"It's completely wrong and is scaring them - but seems to have become normalised," said Daisey.
Safe Space for Girls
She launched her organisation to bring free netball and multisports to 'any girl' in Sandwell and the West Midlands and to provide a 'safe space' for them. More and more they are reporting 'feeling scared' and intimidated by men who think it is okay to catcall and approach them, she said.
Daisey was speaking out at a 'reclaim the valley' walk held at Sandwell Valley Country Park following a daylight sex attack on a lone woman, Amanda Quiney, that has triggered massive concerns about safety.
"We have created such a space now (at Any Girl Netball) that our girls talk to us about literally anything....we have had more and more instances where girls have reported sexual harassment, walking home or through the town centre, they have been catcalled or had men pulling up alongside them in cars to speak to them, and these girls are only 14 years old. It's scary to think."
"We have had men coming up at the leisure centre and watching and winking at young girls, things like this happen to us all the time. Our girls are scared more than ever."
"I think it becomes almost accepted within the community."
"We need events like this to show that it's not okay. We all see what's happening. Women and girls' safety is a massive priority, and we all need to stand up."
Community Response
She launched her not-for-profit group to create a safe space for girls and young women to enjoy sport and friendship. "Women and girls safety is so important...we know in areas of deprivation, crime levels are higher and these safe spaces are so important."
The 'reclaim the valley' event was coordinated by West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes. It was intended to say 'enough is enough' to those who engage in violence and anti social behaviour in parks and open spaces and leave families, women and children fearful as a result.
It was organised in the wake of the shocking attack on Amanda Quiney, 28, from Tipton. She was knocked out and sexually assaulted by a vicious attacker as she headed back to her car along one of the park's quiet paths on the morning of June 29th. Police believe she was raped and are hunting her dangerous assailant.
MP's Appeal
Labour MP and government assistant whip Coombes opened the event by describing the shock felt by local residents at news of the attack on Amanda. Describing Sandwell Valley Country Park as 'a jewel in the crown' of the region - it is one of the largest urban parks in the country - she said the events of June 29th had shaken park visitors.
"I live nearby and I walk and run here on my own all the time so I understand the feelings around what happened here."
In the wake of the incident Coombes has organised community events to press for and highlight what is being done to restore a sense of wellbeing to park visitors. Nobody should feel afraid to visit the park, she said.
Among those present were West Midlands Police, environmental officials from Sandwell Council, community safety advocates, park rangers, and organisations including Black Country Women's Aid. Coombes thanked the men among the attendees, telling the gathering: "We cannot solve the problem of sexual violence against women without the support of men."
