Yahoo News Davina McCall faces backlash over ‘insensitive’ tweet claiming ‘female abduction and murder is rare’
Davina McCall has been criticised for a tweet posted in the wake of the disappearance of Sarah Everard, in which she says that female abduction and murder "is extremely rare”.
Ms Everard, 33, went missing while walking home from a friend’s house in South London last week and a serving Metropolitan Police officer, has been arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday.
The remains of Ms Everard were subsequently found in a woodland area in Kent, they were formally identified on Friday.
As the search for Everard intensified this week, many women began sharing their personal stories of facing harassment, male violence and feeling unsafe while walking in public areas.
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Read more: Police confirm body found in Kent woodland is Sarah Everard
However, tweeting on Friday morning, McCall appeared to respond to the online outcry by stating: “This level of fear-mongering isn’t healthy.”
Female abduction / murder is extremely rare. Yes we should all be vigilant when out alone. But this level of fear-mongering isn’t healthy. And men’s mental health is an issue as well. Calling all men out as dangerous is bad for our sons, brothers, partners.
— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) March 12, 2021
Within minutes of sharing the post, McCall began to draw criticism, with one Twitter user writing: “we’re not only talking about being murdered by a stranger.
“We’re discussing everything that contributes to a culture where that happens, everyday misogyny, catcalling, domestic abuse, victim-blaming, the majority of rapists who never see court. Nobody is saying all men.” [sic]
Another added: “Female murder isn’t rare. Rape isn’t rare. Domestic violence isn’t rare. We have an epidemic of violence against women (by men) in this country and this is so unhelpful and hurtful to every women who’s been abused, assaulted, harassed, beaten, raped or yes, killed.” [sic]
Other Twitter users pointed out statistics, including the fact one woman is killed by a man in the UK every three days:
It's every three days Davina. A woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK. https://t.co/dc5Jhsuy0x
— Diyora Shadijanova 🇺🇿 🇹🇯 (Диёра Шадижанова) (@thediyora) March 12, 2021
This is really insensitive to the abuse survivors and victims or violence who have found solidarity and felt the need to speak out. It’s hurtful to read to be honest.
Of course men’s mental health is important. Men need to be included in this conversation and they are.— Anneli 🏴 (@pigletish) March 12, 2021
This is well meaning, I’m sure, but so terribly ignorant. You’re going to get many replies to this. It’s natural to get defensive but I really hope you read them and take them as education. You’ve got a platform and it’s a precious thing you can use well.
— Frances Ryan (@DrFrancesRyan) March 12, 2021
Female murder isn't rare. There are stats that could be checked before wading into the conversation with such a huge platform. Most women are saying they've had fear instilled in them since puberty, this movement is attempting to shine a light on that, not damage anyone
— Rhiannon Evans (@rhiannonev) March 12, 2021
Loose Women panelist Kaye Adams was also among the Twitter users who responded to the former Big Brother host.
Quoting McCall's post, she wrote: ”But Davina, it is not about accusing all men, it is about asking all men to be part of the solution. And please let me say, I am not trying to [be] arsey, it’s just clearly an important conversation we all need to have.”
McCall is yet to respond to the criticism. Yahoo UK has contacted her representative for comment.
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