The case of Sarah Everard has highlighted how women have to think almost every time that they leave the house and I suspect that I speak for most women, it's just what we do, it's normal. But it shouldn't be.

Even now, at the age of 67 and living in a "nice" area, if I walk to the local shop in darkness I'm very aware of my surroundings, those passing me, and I use the streetlights to check that no one's behind me. There's no real reason for me to behave in this way, it's just what women do, but I've only realised it recently.

There are statistics relating to the physical assault of women i.e. 97% of young women have experienced some form of sexual harassment... as I have many years ago when one morning on the London Tube a man thought it was ok to put his hand up my skirt... er how is that ok? When is that sort of assault ever okay and what gave him, whoever it was, the right, the permission to do that!

It was probably 45 years ago and I hadn't realised how angry I still am. At the time I didn't confront the man, I was young and didn't know what to do, it was crowded and I was strap hanging my way to work, I couldn't believe what was happening and was in shock.

Nowadays I'm happy to walk alone in remote places, camp by myself, but the awareness of my surroundings, particularly in urban areas is still there.

The killing of Sarah Everard has meant that a lot of women have had memories stirred up and they've had to confront their past, what was done to them, how they felt and how they dealt with it. I hope that what has happened to Sarah will make people think about and discuss these issues, especially with their sons and daughters so that it stops being regarded just as something that's likely to happen to women.

Edit: I've just remembered that I was once strangled to the point of my vision blacking out, and another time was head-butted.