I had a narrow escape from Fred West. Knowing you're prey is an ever-present fear for women | Sally J Morgan

Young women quickly come to realise that our world is a very different place from that of our male friends

Creatures that are hunted need survival strategies. I watched a video clip of a cat seeing off a black bear. Despite the ridiculous size difference, the cat flies at the bear - all ferocity and flashing claws. Small animals turn fear into rage, and sometimes - only sometimes - rage saves them.

These thoughts come to me in the quiet garden of my Wellington home. Sexual assaults have increased in this city by 50% over the past five years. In the news, I read about an appalling killing in London. Women protesting, holding vigils and being beaten by the police as activists".