Assaulted in my ‘ Safe Space ’ City By Delphie Jones
In memory of Ava White , 2009-2021
I moved to Liverpool for university in 2019 and very quickly grew to love the city . It was , and still is , a home away from home . The atmosphere had always felt warm , the people were inviting , the city was small . It was my safe space . My escape from the claustrophobia of high school and home bound lockdowns , with my third year returning that sense of freedom covid stripped from us all . I think however , as a woman , the peaceful simplicity of this safety was a naive , and hopeful thought .
The 25th of November 2021 , International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women , marked the second time I was assaulted in my city .
On both occasions , I , and my friends , were attacked by grown men . And now I should preface , I am small . At 5ft3 and probably 0kg of muscle ( I don ’ t know how to measure these things ), I ’ m not what you ’ d assume grown men would find to be a threat .
My first assault occurred at a peak in covid cases , with Liverpool ’ s nightlife open , but limited to seated venues and the politically screwed up curfew rule . A flock of a thousand drunks would flee to the streets at 10pm , and those in charge should have known this space would not