A doorstep vigil held on the island last night in memory of Sarah Everard and other women who have lost their lives to male violence has highlighted a 'need for change', says one of the organisers.

Women of Mann, a grassroots feminist organisation which aims to create a safe and understanding space for debate and discussion, organised the vigil, which asked residents to stand on their doorstep or in their window with a candle or light for one minute’s silence at 9.30pm last night.

Hundreds of photos were shared via social media of candles being lit and lights being shone in Sarah’s and other women’s memory.

Sarah was murdered on the evening of March 3 in Clapham Common, South London after leaving a friend’s house to walk home in Brixton Hill.

Her death has sparked conversations around the world about how to prevent violence against women.

WOM’s Stacey Astill explained: ’I think a big part of it is the fact that she [Sarah] did everything that we’re told we’re supposed to do. So, women are socialised from quite a young age that we’re supposed to do certain things when we’re walking about and going out - she was on a main walking route, it was well-lit, she was wearing bright clothing, she’d been on the phone to her partner.

’Even though she did those things, she still ended-up being killed and that’s horrible.

’I think that even in that case, to see people commenting and saying she shoudn’t of been walking home [alone], she shouldn’t have taken that route et cetera, it just compounds the fact that there’s always an element of blame somewhere and I think it comes back to the rallying cry of ’our streets’ - why should women have to constantly make all of these amendments to their lives because of the fear of some kind of abuse or violence?’

More on this story in this week’s Manx Independent (published Thursday).