One of the founders of a vigil in support of women who have suffered from male violence has described how she was followed and asked where she lived by a man just minutes after it came to a close.
The vigil was a show of support for women who have been murdered by men, as well as highlighting the important issue of women being unsafe on the streets - something which founder Sophia Waterfield witnessed first hand while making her way home.
The 32-year-old freelance journalist, who founded the group alongside Jo Charlton and Deborah Guy, said her mum and sister accompanied her to Hull's Paragon Interchange after the event so she did not have to walk through the city by herself, reports Hull Live.
The three sat on a bench waiting for Sophia's bus, when a man interrupted their conversation to ask Sophia where she lived.
Sophia stated: "A guy was also sat there and seemingly listening to our conversation interjected abruptly 'where do you live?' I lied and said Nafferton. He then said 'where in Nafferton...?'
"He continued to ask several times. So I suggested we went and got a cuppa from Greggs, just to get away from him."
She said the group waited inside the shop and the staff asked if they were OK, and when they explained the situation, offered to call security.
The man, who was in his thirties, with dark hair, medium height, wearing a grey coat, then walked into the shop as well, seemingly to order something, but Sophia said it was just to continue following them.
"The Greggs staff member and security guard then walked her to her bus and waited until she was safely on board."
The mum-of-one said the incident was "awful" and highlights the need campaigns like Reclaim The Streets, who organised the vigil, to protect women from this kind of unwelcome attention.
She said: "I felt so anxious, and when I got off the bus my partner was worried for me too, I stayed with him overnight because neither of us felt comfortable with me and my son sleeping alone.
"When a man thinks he is entitled to know where you live, it causes so much anxiety and panic.
"There were no police around and it was left to Greggs staff to make me feel safe. I was worried about him following me and making a last minute dash for my bus.
"This incident has reignited my fire even more. It just goes to show how this issue is not just national, it is here in Hull."
She said the incident happened at just after 7pm, and affected not just her, but also her mum and sister, who were so keen to get home safe, that they forgot to pay for their parking and had to return to pay it after driving home.
She added: "I am sick of people saying we should 'put up and shut up'. No one who is simply going to a bus or train station to get home safely should find themselves being harassed."
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