Sarah Everard’s Parents Attend Church of Scotland Assembly on Violence Against Women

Sue and Jeremy Everard, the parents of murdered Sarah Everard, attended the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. They were invited as guests by Lady Elish Angiolini, the Lord High Commissioner to the Assembly and chair of the Angiolini Inquiry. The inquiry was established following Sarah’s murder by Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021. During the event, Lady Angiolini highlighted the critical issue of violence against women and discussed her recent report on preventing sexually motivated crimes in public spaces. She emphasized the role of community action in crime prevention, referencing the concept of the Good Samaritan and proposals for laws requiring witnesses to assist those in danger. The Assembly’s Moderator, Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy, expressed privilege at their presence and offered prayers for the family and all victims of gender-based violence. The gathering served as a platform to reflect on societal responsibilities, with Angiolini noting that while practical safety measures are essential, fostering a caring community remains a vital, untapped resource for ensuring safer streets for women and men alike.