A Silent Scream
The Murder of Sarah Everard48 total reviews
Comment from Boogienights
What a horrific story! I'm so glad he was caught and punished, you told this very well, great rhyming, and very compelling. I wondered why l never heard of this, until l realized it happened outside the U.S.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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What a horrific story! I'm so glad he was caught and punished, you told this very well, great rhyming, and very compelling. I wondered why l never heard of this, until l realized it happened outside the U.S.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much for this very kind review which I deeply value from you! Yes, it was a huge story here in the UK, not least because he actually used his police identity as a ruse to commit his evil. Thank you again, Debbie
Comment from Laurie Holding
This is outrageous. I thank you for putting this woman's story to the page, and my mouth is still gaping from disbelief. I hadn't heard this story, and am horrified. Do you have other pieces that reflect true stories over there? Just wild. You get my six stars for the day. Thanks again.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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This is outrageous. I thank you for putting this woman's story to the page, and my mouth is still gaping from disbelief. I hadn't heard this story, and am horrified. Do you have other pieces that reflect true stories over there? Just wild. You get my six stars for the day. Thanks again.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Laurie, for this precious review! We have other stories of offences perpetrated by the police but never, I believe, whilst acting as a police officer. The scale of his crime and the corruption it exposed in the police force will, I think, never be forgotten. There had been countless opportunities for him to have been stopped - red flags such as his indecent exposures, his use of prostitutes (coming to the station demanding money) his sick WhatsApp messages, his dire financial situation (inevitably due to his dubious lifestyle and leaving him wide open to corruption). While in custody, he tried to kill himself. I wish he had or someone do the job for him now! I'll certainly look out for more stories. Apparently, there's a case in Australia of a gay cop killing his ex lover and partner, creating huge tensions between the police and the community. Thank you so much again for your interest and thoughts which mean a lot to me. Take care Debbie
Comment from Neil Samways
Such a shambolic situation and abuse of power. the cover ups and lies in the "boys" club that allowed it to happen are truly shocking. As soon as she saw his badge, she should have felt protected. Great poem despite the tragic subject. Also want to add that the arrest during the covid rule breaks show how the police really felt, people coming together for a woman who was victim to an abuse of power, should not have been arrested.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Such a shambolic situation and abuse of power. the cover ups and lies in the "boys" club that allowed it to happen are truly shocking. As soon as she saw his badge, she should have felt protected. Great poem despite the tragic subject. Also want to add that the arrest during the covid rule breaks show how the police really felt, people coming together for a woman who was victim to an abuse of power, should not have been arrested.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Neil, for this precious review! I greatly appreciate all your very thoughtful comments. I was just sickened to the core and wishing that the McDonalds employee (3 days' earlier) had had a boiling hot drink to deliver to him in a more unconventional way! Take care Debbie
Comment from Pearl Edwards
This is a sad story of another woman abused and murdered but when it's by a serving policeman it is even worse for public confidence in them. Currently in Austrailia we have a serving policeman harged with double murder of an ex booyfriend and his new partner. Beautifully told Debbie,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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This is a sad story of another woman abused and murdered but when it's by a serving policeman it is even worse for public confidence in them. Currently in Austrailia we have a serving policeman harged with double murder of an ex booyfriend and his new partner. Beautifully told Debbie,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Valda, for this precious review which I greatly appreciate. I'd heard about this case in Oz which has inevitably triggered massive tensions between the police and the community. The thing is, we would like to think there are only a few bad apples but, so often, this is the tip of the iceberg with power going to their heads. And a community/country left in despair and disgust. Your kindness, as ever, means a lot to me. Take care Debbie
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
Excellent research and very well written. I am not sure any picture could adequately convey all the feelings involved, but this one did stir things up.
Well done. Enjoy your week. Karen
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Excellent research and very well written. I am not sure any picture could adequately convey all the feelings involved, but this one did stir things up.
Well done. Enjoy your week. Karen
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Karen, for this previous review! I firstly put up a split picture of her ( a beautiful young woman) and the Munch painting, The Scream, but it was too distracting and contrived. And, anyway, isn't that painting hateful? Always appreciate your kind comments. Do have a look on the forum, you might be interested under Reviewing...Take care Debbie
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I found it.Making it all my fault did you?Did you get much blowback? :-)
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What's your fault? Of course I got blowback! Seems you can't rock the boat in any way without that!
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Tell all the naysayers to take a long walk off a short pier.. Karen :-)
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Debbie,
this is a truly disturbing account of something that is so horrific it's hard to even imagine. Even with all of this, and there is a lot of blame to go around, I can't paint all police with the same brush. There is no two ways about it, cops need to be held to at least the same standard of the law as every day citizens, if not to a higher standard. I believe there is a network or brotherhood amongst the police that they want to watch each other's back, and in that profession, it's necessary. However, when one crosses the line, there needs to be a holding of account for that individual. I think it should be against the law for any male officer to interact with a female by themselves. I know that it's not realistic to have two cops patrol together because of the cost, but having a male confront a female without a female backup officer is a terrible idea obviously. Of course when something like this happens, there is a knee jerk reaction, and even good people get punished for the deeds of the creeps. Here in this country different actions by the police caused an entire movement of defunding the police. Now the cities where they have done that are rampant with crime. I don't know what the answer is, but somehow, we need to do better as a society. Thanks for sharing this dreadful story. I wish it never happened, but it did.
Blessings,
Tom
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Hello Debbie,
this is a truly disturbing account of something that is so horrific it's hard to even imagine. Even with all of this, and there is a lot of blame to go around, I can't paint all police with the same brush. There is no two ways about it, cops need to be held to at least the same standard of the law as every day citizens, if not to a higher standard. I believe there is a network or brotherhood amongst the police that they want to watch each other's back, and in that profession, it's necessary. However, when one crosses the line, there needs to be a holding of account for that individual. I think it should be against the law for any male officer to interact with a female by themselves. I know that it's not realistic to have two cops patrol together because of the cost, but having a male confront a female without a female backup officer is a terrible idea obviously. Of course when something like this happens, there is a knee jerk reaction, and even good people get punished for the deeds of the creeps. Here in this country different actions by the police caused an entire movement of defunding the police. Now the cities where they have done that are rampant with crime. I don't know what the answer is, but somehow, we need to do better as a society. Thanks for sharing this dreadful story. I wish it never happened, but it did.
Blessings,
Tom
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Tom, for this very full and informed review! This is almost worthy of a post in its own right. Bless you, Debbie
Comment from Julie Helms
What are horrific story. Sadly, I never heard about it on this side of the pond. Those in whom we place our trust, should not only be held to account at the same level as the public, but to a higher account of above-average behavior. But of course, that trust that is trained in us from childhood, is what a predator takes advantage of. I think this is why we see pedophiles in the priesthood, same concept. It all boils down, unfortunately, to really common human nature.
Thank you so much for sharing the story and doing it in your typically well-done poetry! Julie.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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What are horrific story. Sadly, I never heard about it on this side of the pond. Those in whom we place our trust, should not only be held to account at the same level as the public, but to a higher account of above-average behavior. But of course, that trust that is trained in us from childhood, is what a predator takes advantage of. I think this is why we see pedophiles in the priesthood, same concept. It all boils down, unfortunately, to really common human nature.
Thank you so much for sharing the story and doing it in your typically well-done poetry! Julie.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Julie, for your kind review! I was a Probation Officer in my previous life and they were then starting to recognise the escalation offence of indecent exposure. It's so tragic that he wasn't stopped in his tracks when the signs were there for all to see. Apart from frequenting prostitutes and exposing himself on numerous occasions, he was also deeply in debt (for whatever dubious reason) and clearly ripe for corruption, all of which should have raised red flags, were in not for the fact that the system was already corrupted and self-serving. Thanks again, Julie. Debbie
Comment from Jessica Wheeler
Wow. This is an absolutely heart-wrenching story that you have masterfully delivered in this exquisite poem. The pace, the rhythm, the rhyming- every detail is skillfully and tastefully executed to pay tribute to the victim and shame the monster that made her one. So very well done, my friend!!
Xoxo
Jess
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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Wow. This is an absolutely heart-wrenching story that you have masterfully delivered in this exquisite poem. The pace, the rhythm, the rhyming- every detail is skillfully and tastefully executed to pay tribute to the victim and shame the monster that made her one. So very well done, my friend!!
Xoxo
Jess
Comment Written 10-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Jess, for this precious review which means so much to me! I'm very grateful. Take care Debbie xoxo
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
How excellently you told this horrific true story in verse. I think the first verse was the strongest. Your rhyme and rhythm are excellent, as well. You have a true poet's pen.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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How excellently you told this horrific true story in verse. I think the first verse was the strongest. Your rhyme and rhythm are excellent, as well. You have a true poet's pen.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Verna! Your lovely words are deeply valued. Take care Debbie
Comment from Wendy G
Moved to tears by this horrific story. Your poem was outstanding and the notes equally so. I can't imagine the mother's ongoing suffering and pain, particularly as Sarah's murder was preceded by terror and rape!
We have just had a police officer taken into custody for the "alleged" murder of two young men in a relationship. He had been the partner of one of them (a fairly one-sided relationship apparently), and was obsessive, stalking him and damaging his property. That murder was premeditated, and the partner was killed because he was there at the time. He used his police weapon to kill both. The gay community is outraged, and there has always been a difficult relationship between them and police.
It's hard to have confidence in the police when such things as you desribed so vividly happen. Brilliant writing.
Wendy
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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Moved to tears by this horrific story. Your poem was outstanding and the notes equally so. I can't imagine the mother's ongoing suffering and pain, particularly as Sarah's murder was preceded by terror and rape!
We have just had a police officer taken into custody for the "alleged" murder of two young men in a relationship. He had been the partner of one of them (a fairly one-sided relationship apparently), and was obsessive, stalking him and damaging his property. That murder was premeditated, and the partner was killed because he was there at the time. He used his police weapon to kill both. The gay community is outraged, and there has always been a difficult relationship between them and police.
It's hard to have confidence in the police when such things as you desribed so vividly happen. Brilliant writing.
Wendy
Comment Written 10-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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I think we might both have been shedding tears today at each other's posts and I feel some guilt at adding to the sad memories you've been sharing. I'm very honoured by your kind review and appalled by this crime you mention in Australia which can only serve to exacerbate tensions between the police and the community. Oh dear! What a world! Take care, Wendy, and thank you again. Debbie
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Thanks so much Debbie. No, please don't feel guilt at all. I am fine, just have to focus on the positives and not let the negatives take over. Our murder situation just happened in the last fortnight, so it's still fresh. Fortunately, a few years now since Sheryl's passing, but it still gets me at at times. Yes, it is a sad and difficult world ....
