By: Gabriela Linehan

After the disappearance and brutal murder of 33- year- old marketing executive Sarah Everard in South London, England, people have been debating a statement what a majority of misogynists claim is, “Not All Men.” a term some men use to respond to women who are trying to speak up about their experiences of being sexually harassed. The topic comes up when discussing any type of abuse such as rape, physical violence, and emotional abuse.

Since women were little, they were taught to dress pretty. To not wear clothes that show shoulders. That it’s inappropriate and distracting. To not walk home alone. To not give in to peer pressure. That one day you might regret it. These scenarios are telling women from a young age to fear men. It also teaches them to know when they are uncomfortable in a situation. Some men don’t understand this because they are not aware of the fear a woman goes through, just to walk to her car at night. 

Sara Everard was walking home from a friend’s house on the night of March 3rd, 2021. It would take fifty minutes for her to get home, but she didn’t make it. She was kidnapped and raped and then shot by a police officer. After that, police suggested that all women should have a curfew. In response to this Jenny Jones, a British Politian, suggested a curfew for men saying, “Don’t change women, educate men.” Some people couldn’t handle this, so they protested saying, “not all men.”

All people are taught when they’re toddlers to not talk to strangers or there is a good chance of being kidnapped. Not all strangers would kidnap you, but you still choose to stay away. So, why do male protesters say not all men? It’s not all men because some guys are nice. It’s not all men because it’s just an assumption that it is. It’s not all men because men get raped too. Yes, these are all true statements. 

One in six boys have been sexually abused before the age of 18. And it’s not their fault.  It’s not appropriate if men who have not experienced this trauma, decide to use it as an excuse to defend the men who are saying “not all men,” against woman who have been raped because they are not trying to help the people who do get sexually abused. They’re just saying it to justify that it’s not all men.

Most men know that it’s not all men but when their moms and sisters go out, they tell them to be careful. What are they being careful about? Men making a statement to shut down women victims is basically the same thing as saying all lives matter. Yes, all lives matter, but at that time and event, they were trying to fight for black lives and honor George Floyd. 

The people saying this also spoke that, “Modern day feminism is an attack on men.” Which was replied with, “not all men.” So that leaves people questioning, is the term, “Not all men,” good or bad? Yes, men should be educated. Yes, it is not all men, but its 97 percent of women who are sexually harassed in their life, and it needs to stop. Female activism needs to be known and experiences needs to be spoken.