An “epidemic of male violence against women and girls” has taken hold according to the Mayor of Liverpool.
Following the murders of Olivia Pratt-Korbe l, Ashley Dale and Karen Dempsey, Mayor Joanne Anderson said girls cannot be allowed “to grow up in a climate of fear.” A statement from Mayor Anderson was read out before this morning’s meeting of Liverpool Council ’s cabinet at Liverpool Town Hall by Assistant Mayor Cllr Sarah Doyle.
The statement said: “Liverpool is heartbroken at the loss of Olivia Pratt-Korbel. A 9-year-old girl was murdered in her own home – the place she should feel safest.
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“Her life has been taken far too soon, and in the most horrific and callous of circumstances. Those who committed this abhorrent crime have no place on our streets, and I have offered my full support to Merseyside Police in their investigation.”
Merseyside Police confirmed this morning they had a 36-year-old man, from Huyton, in custody in relation to Olivia’s death. He has also been arrested on two counts of attempted murder.
On Thursday, officers detained a man on suspicion of the murder of 28-year-old Ashley and a woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. The Knowsley Council worker was shot dead in her own home in Old Swan, on Sunday, August 21.
Mayor Anderson’s statement, which was followed by a minute’s silence in the chamber, said a “new normal of respect and safety” was possible for women and girls. She said: “This week, three women have been murdered at the hands of men.
“There are no words to describe the pain that has been felt across our communities. I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Ashley Dale and Karen Dempsey.
“We are in the grip of an epidemic of male violence against women and girls. We cannot allow girls to grow up in a climate of fear.
“A new normal of respect and safety for women is possible. I want to send a message of support to all those across the city who share feelings of sadness and grief.
“As a council, we will do all we can in the coming days and weeks to address the concerns and worries our residents will understandably have.” Cllr Frazer Lake, Assistant Mayor, added: “As a council, we want to send a message of support to all of those across the city who share feelings of sadness and grief.
“As a council we’ll do all we can in the coming days and weeks to address the concerns and worries our residents will understandably have.” Cllr Lake added that links to support services for those who needed them would be made publicly available.
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