Women of colour are more likely to be subjected to random attacks, but the attention their cases generate from the press is disproportionate to this. Women’s Aid CEO, Farah Nazeer spoke of this issue, saying “the treatment of Sabina’s death has not been on the same level as others, and time and time again we see how victims from Black and minority communities do not receive the same level of attention and support. It is simply not good enough, and it has to change.”

People have been using the hashtag #sayhername across social media to bring the case to the public’s attention. Social media provides us with a very effective method of raising awareness because of its ability to reach millions of people instantaneously. What social media cannot do is prevent the murders from occurring in the first place. That responsibility falls to the government and the police force, who urgently need to do more.

All women should feel safe wherever they are, no matter the time of day. As we head into winter and the days get shorter, women’s fears of being outside at night grow larger. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has suggested that we take action by making misogyny a hate crime. Male violence against women is an epidemic. It’s a systemic issue that needs to be completely uprooted to save lives. 

Nessa was described as “beautiful, talented and caring” by her sister, as she mourned a life cruelly cut short, with so much more to offer the world. Reclaim The Streets have organised a vigil to memorialise Sabina Nessa as women across the country seek some semblance of comfort through solidarity. That is all we can do until the government treat this issue with the urgency it desperately needs