Amanda Quiney, a mother of four who was knocked out and sexually assaulted at Sandwell Valley Country Park on June 29, has returned to the park for the first time since the attack to join a community event aimed at reclaiming the space. Around 100 people braved temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius to take part in the walk, organised by West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes.
Brave return to the scene of the attack
Quiney described her emotions as "mixed emotions. Overwhelming. It terrifies me (being here). My legs are like jelly." She added: "The nerves are all over but I'm here, I've done the biggest step." She praised those who turned out in the heat, saying: "It doesn't take away the trauma, or that this shouldn't have happened in the first place, but the support matters."
The attack occurred on the morning of June 29 along a quiet path in the Priory Woods area of the park. Police believe Quiney was raped and are continuing their investigation. She has since launched a GoFundMe appeal to create a 'safe place to sit' in a neighbourhood near the park, where people struggling with trauma, grief, loneliness, or fear can be welcomed.
MP calls for more police and park wardens
Coombes, who is a Labour MP and government assistant whip, opened the event by describing the shock felt by local residents. She called Sandwell Valley Country Park "a jewel in the crown" of the region, noting it is one of the largest urban parks in the country. "I live nearby and I walk and run here on my own all the time so I understand the feelings around what happened here," she said.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, Coombes said: "We are here to reclaim the valley. There are too many antisocial behaviour issues in this park as well as terrible threats to women's safety and we are here today to say that is unacceptable." She added: "Amanda has been unbelievably brave. She wants to turn her experience into something that strengthens the community rather than weakens it, I am in awe." Coombes also called for "more police presence...more park wardens here, all the time...and more enforcement against bad behaviour."
Community groups highlight ongoing fears
Among the attendees 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 present, saying: "We cannot solve the problem of sexual violence against women without the support of men."
Daisey Cotterill, founder and CEO of Any Girl Netball, a non-profit that brings free netball and multisports to girls in Sandwell and the West Midlands, joined the walk. She said: "Women and girls safety is so important...we know in areas of deprivation, crime levels are higher and these safe spaces are so important." She described incidents where girls as young as 14 have reported sexual harassment, catcalling, and men pulling up alongside them in cars. "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," she said. "I think it becomes almost accepted within the community. We need events like this to show that it's not okay."
Amanda's message read to walkers
Coombes read words written by Amanda to the walkers. In them, Quiney wrote: "I cannot change what happened to me...but what I can change is what happens next. I refuse to let what happened define me, and I refuse to let what happened take away the spaces that belong to all of us." She added: "We ought to be able to walk in our valleys and parks and open spaces without constantly looking over our shoulders."
She continued: "We deserve to go for a walk, take our children out, go for a run, sit on a bench or simply enjoy the fresh air without being afraid. We should not have to give up our freedom because we are afraid." Her message concluded: "Today isn't just about what happened to me, it is about every single person who has ever changed their route, avoided somewhere they love or felt unsafe for being alone. Let's reclaim our park, walks and the places where our children should be safe to play without fear. Something needs to change. I will not let what happened to me stop me. I am turning what happens into something positive. We must not back down."
West Midlands Police said in a statement: "Our enquiries are continuing as part of a rape investigation in Sandwell Valley Country Park. The attack happened to a woman in the Priory Woods area of the park on Monday, 29 June at around 10.15am. The woman remains at the heart of our investigation, and she is receiving support from specialist officers." They added that they have reviewed CCTV footage, spoken to potential witnesses, and received forensic evidence. "We are continuing to appeal for information," they said, urging anyone with information to call 101 quoting 20/304639/26.
