Around 100 individuals participated in a demonstration through central London, advocating for men to take proactive steps in addressing violence against women and girls. The event highlighted the urgent need for systemic change across male-dominated sectors to confront abuse in both domestic and professional settings.
The march, part of a broader initiative to challenge gender-based violence, emphasized the role of men in fostering accountability and cultural shifts. Organizers urged construction workers and other professionals to address workplace misogyny and recognize warning signs of domestic abuse among colleagues.
Leon Westcarr, a 64-year-old attendee from Leeds, shared his personal connection to the cause. His 25-year-old niece, Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, was fatally strangled by her partner in April 2024. “Men must confront harmful behaviors and attitudes to be part of the solution,” he stated. Kennedi’s killer received a hospital order for manslaughter, a decision Westcarr described as deeply troubling.
Leon criticized the lack of long-term accountability in cases like his niece’s. “The rapid release of perpetrators into the community after minimal sentencing is unacceptable,” he said. His remarks underscored widespread concerns about leniency in legal responses to gender-based violence.
Another participant, Daniel Wing, recounted the unsolved murder of his mother, Tina Wing, in 1992. When Wing was just one year old, his mother was found with multiple stab wounds and signs of strangulation after a walk at a mental health facility. “These tragedies are not isolated,” Wing, 35, said. “Systemic change is essential to prevent further loss.”
The event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to amplify calls for action. Attendees emphasized the importance of engaging men in conversations about accountability, particularly in industries where traditional gender roles may hinder progress. The march served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle to address violence against women and the need for sustained, collective effort.
