Podcast

Jamie Klingler on: Founding reclaim these streets

This episode features Jamie Klingler, writer, activist, and co-founder of Reclaim These Streets. Reclaim These Streets was born from vigils organised in response to the murder of Sarah Everard in London in March, 2021. Jamie speaks openly and honestly to Nilesha about the emotive and visceral response that led to setting up the organisation, the whirlwind legal proceedings that followed, and the urgent need for women’s safety to be taken seriously.

Every fortnight on the GOOD on Purpose podcast, people who have made a conscious decision to lead a life with Purpose share their inspirations, motivations, and life advice. Here, Jamie Klingler, writer, activist, and co-founder of Reclaim These Streets, shares hers…

Responding to Boris Johnson’s recent comments about the UK’s poor handling of violence against women and the lack of prosecution and convictions for these crimes.

I absolutely agree with what [Boris Johnson] said on that day and at that time. But what he says the next day or the next week, or when he cuts funding to the prosecutorial system… And when there’s empty courtrooms … 70% of courtrooms are empty. You can’t say one [thing] without fixing the other. You can’t say, “oh, this is horrible,” when you have control to fix it [but don’t] do anything to make it any better.

The Women’s sector has been so radically underfunded, for what, 50 years? One of the issues around austerity is violence and violence begets violence. And without social services and any preventative [and education] measures taken, we’re not ever at a place where we’re looking to the future as a brighter place, as a safer place.

There were all kinds of stats that say that, even if we did everything possible, we are 25 years behind the worst possible rate prosecution numbers that there ever were… They’re saying it’s a 1% rate. Jess Phillips has talked about the fact that it’s basically a non-prosecutable crime at this point.

The importance of a safer environment for women

The fact of it is, if women are safer, we have better consensual sex, we have better relationships, we have more relaxed, more open communication, we have better friendships, we just have better lives… And our male friends and our male partners and our male sons have better lives, if we’re not going on dates with a backup plan in case they get violent. [But] we do that. And that’s a horrible way to meet somebody; that’s a horrible way to enter any situation. All of us benefit from a society where women are safer, and when our shoulders are back … we can have honest conversations.

Becoming an ‘activist’

…This was not my life. I have not been in political circles. I have not done this before. I just couldn’t be quiet anymore. And because I run an events business [and] we were in lockdown … I was able to put my time and effort and all of my anger into it. And I’ve got a lot of anger and energy. So, if I put my mind to something, I’m ready to ring every bell and use every contact and do everything I can do to make it stick and to make people have conversations and to make the conversation continue.

Feeling the impact of Reclaim These Streets

I think we have gotten the conversation out there. I think we’ve influenced young women. I think we’ve influenced the government and in [a] few [places] influenced some areas of spend, but it’s baby steps. There’s, there’s miles and miles to go.

…There is a lot of burnout, you know, reading and talking about violence against women all day. It’s just not fun. It’s really hard, and my dog has been cried into more times than I can tell you. But I also know that it has made a difference and I know my mom would have been super proud.

Advice to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed and fearful

I think that there’s a lot of constructive and productive things you can do. I think there are more allies out there than you know, and I think that you need to show your vulnerability. It’s a powerful thing to tell somebody you’re scared and that you need help. I think putting out there that you’re scared and that you’re having a hard time… I think a lot more people will come to your aid, and we’ll walk you to that bus or walk you home or make sure you get in a cab or we’re checking in with you.

If you have been affected by a crime related to any of the topics discussed in this podcast, and would like to seek help, you can do so by visiting https://www.gov.uk/ and typing ‘report rape/ sexual assault’ in the search field. There you will find a comprehensive list of resources as well as advice on who you can talk to.