Song after attack aims to highlight women's safety

A Kent woman who has released a song about women's safety after she was attacked says she hopes talking about it will give her closure.

Daisy Foster, 21, from Broadstairs, was attacked in October 2023 when she was walking down the street in Birmingham, where she was at university.

She said she had hospital treatment for facial injuries she suffered during the attack and was still "wary" of her surroundings when she was out and about.

Despite investigations, West Midlands Police said it had been unable to identify the suspect, but said tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) was a priority.

Ms Foster said the song, released in January, focuses on women's safety, specifically the experience of walking alone at night and the precautions women take.

"It's something that is very personal to me, but I know that it's a universal experience for women worldwide," Ms Foster said of the attack which inspired the song.

Any profits from the song, called SWaN, Safety for Women at Night, will be given to Nia, a London charity which supports women subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse.

"We want to raise awareness, making a statement and for it to be something that people can relate to and listen to," she said.

The attack happened when Ms Foster and three of her friends walked past a group of men. One of them "stormed past" and attacked one of her friends, she said.

In defending her friend, Ms Foster said she was then pushed to the ground and injured.

She said she was shocked not just by the attack, but by the lack of help from passers by.

"People don't really bat an eyelid, or intervene or help in any way when they see these things go on," she said.

Ms Foster added that the reaction to the song, which was a collaboration with friends Sinade Gilbert and Jamie Mcgregor as co-writers and producer, has been positive.

In July 2024, data released by the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing found an increase of 37% in VAWG-related crime between 2018 and 2023.

"It's really important to talk about it and raise awareness of it at this moment in time," Ms Foster said.

Though she said the attack would always be there "in the back of my mind", she added: "The more I can speak about it, and the more I can do, it will help me to get closure, where I never got some from the actual crime."

West Midlands Police asked witnesses or anyone with fresh information on the attack, which took place on 25 October 2023 on Allison Street, at its junction with Bordesley Street, Birmingham, to contact the force.

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