IN HER monthly Talking Point column sixth form student Lola Cook talks about the fear women face when going out in public.

She said: "Over recent weeks women all over the country have been reminded of the familiar fear and threat that we are subject to for simply existing.

"The murder of Sarah Everard has sparked fury and sadness across the country that this is not a one-off tragedy but a constant, reoccurring feeling of trepidation for every woman and girl when she leaves her house.

"The mental checklist of judging if it is safe to walk alone is burdensome.

"Walking with keys between fingers, people knowing when you left and when you hope to arrive are mandatory actions for many women.

"There is a deep craving for power and control that is held by some men in society which acts as a firm basis for misogyny to continue to oppress women and to not treat them as valuable.

"This insecurity in their own masculinity leads them to building a façade of what they have internalised over the years to be a ‘correct’ definition of what a man is.

"This hunger that is almost animalistic is a predicate of toxic masculinity which urges men to present themselves as indestructible, unemotional beings which can lead to them having an inability to empathise with women.

"This seemingly ‘unbreakable’ exterior is unfortunately viewed as admirable by lots of men.

"I, however, from a woman’s point of view, view this behaviour as weak. I identify no sense of strength in fearing vulnerability, or emotion or ‘appearing feminine.’

"I view it as fearing yourself and what you are truly capable of, but you choose to restrict your own potential in fear of what others will think of you. Anger is fuelled by fear.

"As women are continued to be raped, assaulted, harassed and murdered I think we know where to target this problem.

"When all men learn to take pride in feeling, we might make a start."