Ashley James has revealed frustration as she reflects on a scary moment with the threat of assault while taking her daughter to nursery this morning.
Ashley James has revealed a concerning incident that took place this morning(Image: Instagram)
Broadcaster and activist Ashley James took to social media this morning to share an incident that saw her fear sexual assault, while simply trying to take her daughter to school.
The 39-year-old star took to Instagram this morning to reveal that she took a shortcut this morning and was fearful of a man who appeared to be waiting to see her route so that he could follow her path.
“Just taking a shortcut to get to Ada’s nursery, and this is one of the things that I think men just don’t have to think about. There was a guy who seemed quite high, but he was like hovering in front of me, so it felt like he was waiting to see if I was going to turn down this way.”
She added that she had already seen him call out to another woman on a walk, saying: “He was also cat-calling some woman walking her dog in athleisure. Doesn’t really matter what she was wearing, but just context.
“So I just stood there for like a few minutes waiting for him to either decide to come down here or to not come down here, and to decide whether or not I was like safe to take this route, and it’s just something that like men just don’t have to think about.”
She added that because of her own internalised ‘misogyny’ she thought that at nearly 40 years old this kind of harassment would be over, but in fact she couldn’t even pick up her children without a safety issue.
“It’s so mad that we’re made to feel like we’re made to feel like this is a youth, not a youth problem, as in, but it only would impact young girls. I never thought at 40, probably because of my own misogyny and ageism, that I thought anyone past 30 was like past it.
“But I never thought that this was like a life fear of women’s of like can’t you can’t even just like go to pick up your kids without having to like do like safety check for your life or your like so that someone doesn’t assault you. It’s just like not a normal way to live.”
She added that she hoped her message would remind men of the level of anxiety women have to live with.
“Like I really want men to understand like the level of fight or flight that we have to live with, even if it’s not all men, like it’s so many men, like I just want the freedom to walk the quickest way to nursery on a hot day,” she said. Ashley also revealed that since she moved to the area, two sexual assaults have taken place on that pathway.
The star has been an activist and spokesperson for women’s rights for years, describing herself as a ‘Voice For Women’ and releasing a book earlier this year titled Bimbo – which became a Sunday Times bestseller.
Ashley has two children named Alfie, 5, and Ada, 3, with her partner Tom Andrews. She and Tom remain unmarried, something that Ashley has repeatedly confirmed she doesn’t want to change.
Speaking to OK! in 2021 Ashley said: “People find it really weird that I don’t want to get married, and the thing is, it’s not to do with my relationship.
“If it was something really important to Tom I would do it. But I personally think it’s a waste of money! I love enjoying other people’s weddings but I’d rather go on a really nice holiday or buy a house, or a car.”
Ashley continued: “Also I find it a bit old fashioned. I don’t believe in the vow to be there for someone for better or worse. If the relationship is not working, I’d want for both of us to walk away. Every person deserves to be with someone who makes them happy. That’s me and Tommy now, but who knows what the future holds?”
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