England: CFWIJ Condemns The Harassment And Sexual Violence Against Laura Bill
Location: England
Date: March 19, 2021
Senior journalist at NCTA News, Laura Bill shared the harrowing sexual assaults she went through over the period. In a recent article, Laura revealed at the workplace and outside. Laura was thrown out of a bar at 5 in the morning by her then boss after he sexually assaulted her. She worked in that pub as a waitress for some time. The journalist also recalled how one night she had to stay for a night when a male friend had a penknife by the bed. Laura felt terrified for her life and did not leave. She faced another indecent incident along with her friends and reported it to the police. CFWIJ condemns the sexual assaults and harassment Laura had to face over time. We extend the journalist our full support and hope for a safer environment for every woman in general.
Laura Bill shared the unfortunate details of assaults in a recent article she wrote The Herts Advertiser. Laura said that for long she remained silent and did not pen it down. She thought what if one of the harassers might recognize it for himself. The Journalist said she struggled to put this piece together because of how society has inculcated the fears of internalized patriarchy in her. She said it is hard to doubt someone in his 40s when you are a teenager. Laura shared once she was with her friends and noticed a man doing something indecent. She reported him to the police and he turned out to be a convicted assaulter.
The journalist narrated that while working at a bar as a waitress, once her employer threw her out at 5 in the morning as he committed assault. Laura said it was a 3-mile terrifying walk to her home. She also shared how once she convinced herself to stay over at a male friends’ place because he had a penknife by the bed. The same friend also insinuated killing her at one point.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the sexual harassment and assaults Laura Bill experienced. We sincerely hope that women journalists, in fact women in general should be able to live a fearless life whether at the workplace or outside.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.