This is a talking point published in the Hereford Times on November 14.

Ben Lea, Close House

“THERE definitely seems to be a rapey culture in Hereford these days.”

This damning indictment came from a 19-year-old woman at a recent consultation event for young people in Hereford, and sparked a huge and difficult conversation.

We’ve all heard about recent attacks, mostly from posts in our social media feeds, competing for likes with pictures of cats and celebrity fashion.

It should go without saying that nobody should suffer these hideous crimes, and young women should not have to feel afraid in our quaint little countryside town.

The implications are obvious; there is a duty on men to help women feel safer, there is a duty on the police and government to prevent crime, there is a duty on councils to make spaces safer.

There should be swift and clear justice for criminals that gets equal media attention as the crime itself.

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a community to protect them too. There is a duty on us all to help young people act wisely and feel safer, and this duty lies not only on parents but also on those who communicate to young people.

Social media producers can play a positive part by bringing wisdom to the same articles that sensationalise crime stories as if we’re telling ghost stories at a sleepover.

If we’re making young people feel too scared to walk through town, can we also give reassuring statistics and safety advice so that they still want to be an active part of our community? Can we campaign for better public transport and more patrols? Do we promote safer streets projects?

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What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

Every time we engage with young people we must aim to have a positive impact; to help them be brave, give them tools to overcome anxiety and challenge awful behaviour, to report crime, to support one another, and to be free to enjoy their youth.

I don’t consider myself an expert, but I can tell you it’s White Ribbon Day on November 26, and there’ll be a group in the social prescribing hub in Maylord Orchards, Hereford, from 10.30am to 2pm.

Let’s help end violence against women, and foster a community culture that we’re proud of.