Borders project honours women killed after Sarah Everard

Jennie Gibson, of Ancrum, was moved to start the tapestry project after reading a number of articles outlining 81 women killed in the six months between Ms Everard's disappearance and murder by an acting Metropolitan Police officer in March 2021, and his conviction in September of that year, where the main suspect was a man.

Seeing the women's names listed across a number of news outlets felt "clinical" to Jennie, so she decided to create something so they would be remembered in a "softer" way.

Jennie said: "The idea started in November 2021.

"I'd seen the list of women's names which was released after Sarah Everard's murderer was convicted, where all the women were killed between her [Sarah's] death and his conviction.

"I was quite moved and saddened. It felt quite clinical."

She added: "I'm not a professional weaver by any means, but I decided I'd like to create a piece and get other women involved to commemorate these women in a softer way.

"And in a way where their names were held and cared for by other women.

"Seeing their names on that list in black and white, I felt they deserved something nice, not just being reduced to a list."

The project has seen Jennie, as well as around 80 other women from the Borders and other parts of the UK, come together to stitch the names of the women – listed by Karen Ingala Smith, the founder of the Counting Dead Women blog and the Femicide Census – as a way to honour their lives.

More than 80 stictchers have taken a name of a woman killed to be added to the tapestry (Image: Jennie Gibson)

The majority of the stitchers have come from the Borders, with women getting involved through word of mouth.

Some of Jennie's friends from over the border have also got involved.

Jennie decided not to place a time limit on the project, hoping that by not rushing the women's names would continue to be spoken.

The rape and murder of Sarah Everard by an acting Metropolitan Police officer sent shockwaves across the UK.

Jennie explained that highlighting the deaths of these women was important as it is an issue that "isn't going away".

Jennie said: "It's important to be discussed.

"I was very angry when Sarah Everard was murdered.

"It was International Women's Day that week, then after what happened at her vigil.

"There will be more [deaths], it's endless."

Support is available to women in the Borders facing domestic abuse or violence, and/or rape and sexual violence.

Borders Women's Aid can be contacted on social media, through their website or by calling 01450 218409.

Scottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre can be reached by emailing support@sbrcc.org.uk or by calling 01896 661 070/07584 149 391.