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#SaySabinasName: Women’s Aid call for justice for teacher Sabina Nessa

A man has been arrested in connection with Sabina Nessa’s death
A man has been arrested in connection with Sabina Nessa’s death
Metropolitan Police

Women’s Aid has been just one voice amongst the many calling for justice for killed teacher Sabina Nessa.

Nessa, 28, was found dead near a community centre in south east London last Saturday.

A candlelit vigil will take place this Friday in Kidbrooke Village to commemorate Nessa’s life and to unite together against violence towards women.

Women’s Aid wrote on Twitter: “All women should be safe both on the streets and in their own homes. In solidarity and sisterhood, let’s remember Sabina Nessa — another life lost to violence against women.

“Let’s #SaySabinasName, so she gets the justice she deserves.

“It is not good enough that victims from marginalised communities do not receive the same level of attention.”

Nessa’s death has sent shockwaves throughout London, with her death being compared to that of Sarah Everard, who was also killed in London this year.

In a tweet, Reclaim These Streets urged people to ask themselves why women of colour are not given the same coverage or support.

Sabina Nessa was named by the Metropolitan Police on Monday as they launched an appeal for information.

Police estimate the attack occurred at around 8:30pm on Friday, at a time “when the park was likely being used by many people”.

Police were called at 5:30pm on Saturday after her body was found in Cator Park near the OneSpace community centre in south east London.

According to police, a man in his 40s has been released under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police say “extra high-visibility patrols” are in place around the crime scene, as well as other open spaces across the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich.

Once police released her name, the #SaySabinasName hashtag quickly gained popularity, as did similar phrases such as #HerNameWasSabinaNessa.

On Twitter, MP Apsana Begum said she shares the “rage and grief” at the death of Nessa.

Begum cites the statistic that on average, one woman is killed every three days, and despite every year presenting a “catalogue of violence”, things haven’t improved.

She wrote: “We’re reminded in the murder of Sarah Everard & now #SabinaNessa, that safety is not a right afforded to all, it is a privilege. These aren’t isolated incidents & violence does not occur in a vacuum. The government have failed us on the pandemic of gender-based violence.

Anyone with information or any witnesses can call police on 101, reference 5747/18. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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