Hundreds of people gathered outside Liverpool Crown Court in a candle-lit vigil organized by Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell to honor women and girls who have lost their lives to male violence on Merseyside. The vigil aimed to remember the 74 women and girls who have been murdered on Merseyside since 2009, with their names read out during the event.
According to Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS), Merseyside had the highest rate of women and girls killed by men in the country between 2022 and 2023. This statistic highlights the pressing issue of gender-based violence in the region. The vigil also marked the third anniversary of the tragic murder of 12-year-old Ava White, who was fatally stabbed by a teenage boy in Liverpool city center.
One of the women remembered at the vigil was Ashley Dale, who was shot dead by James Witham in her own home in 2022. Witham, along with his accomplices, was later sentenced to a combined total of 173 years in prison. Ashley’s mother, Julie Dale, spoke at the vigil, expressing the devastating impact of losing her daughter to violence. She emphasized the need to continue fighting against male violence towards women and girls, pledging to advocate for change in their memory.
Julie’s heartfelt speech resonated with the crowd, as she shared the pain and loss experienced by families affected by such tragedies. She stressed the importance of raising awareness about the lasting effects of violence on victims and their loved ones, urging for collective action to prevent further incidents of gender-based violence in the community.
The vigil served as a poignant reminder of the lives lost to male violence and the ongoing need to address this issue at both individual and societal levels. By coming together to honor the ‘lost’ women of Liverpool, the community showed solidarity and support for all those impacted by gender-based violence. Julie’s words echoed a sentiment of resilience and determination to create a safer and more equitable environment for women and girls in the city.
As the candles flickered in the evening light, the vigil symbolized a beacon of hope and remembrance for those who have suffered due to male violence. It served as a call to action for continued advocacy and awareness-raising efforts to prevent future tragedies and ensure that the voices of the victims are heard and remembered. The event concluded with a sense of unity and determination to strive for a future free from violence against women and girls in Liverpool and beyond.
