Broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher has called for more police on the streets and greater action on violence against women and girls after she was attacked last year.
Gallacher said she was assaulted by a man as she walked to her car after work in central London – but he has never been found.
“He turned around and kicked me – really kicked me – like he would kick a football,” she told the UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee.
The former Sky Sports presenter said violence against females had almost become acceptable and was treated as “one of those things”.
“That’s why that’s why women don’t report these crimes because also not enough is being done about it,” she said.
Gallacher said police were “fantastically supportive” at the time and she felt “we’re going to get this guy” – especially as the CCTV was said to be clear – but the attacker appears to have evaded justice.
The 50-year-old presenter said she’d been shocked by how few police were around at the time of the assault.
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“My biggest sadness or anger was there was not enough of a police presence. And we’re in central London and I was looking everywhere, like I almost wanted to shout, ‘please help me!'”, said Gallacher.
“I would love a bigger police presence on the streets [to make women feel safe],” she added.
“And also I would like the police to take it seriously when women go ‘I’ve just been assaulted’ – even the most minor of assaults.”
A Met Police spokesperson told Sky News it was “committed to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls”.
“Officers spoke with the victim in this case on several occasions to share updates as the investigation progressed,” they added.
“Our last contact with them was at the end of December when they were informed the investigation had been filed, but would be reopened if the suspect was identified. The suspect’s image remains in circulation across the Met.
“The investigation is closed at this time but will be reviewed if new information comes to light.”
Tinnitus after tumour
Gallacher also spoke to Sky News about living with tinnitus, a condition where a person hears sounds such as ringing and buzzing that don’t come from an outside source.
She told Sarah-Jane Mee she had “a low level buzzing and it’s just always there” and on some days, depending on what’s going on, “it can be really loud”.
“It can be quite low where it’s manageable,” she said. “So it really is about navigating day by day – and some days it can drive you a bit mad.”
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Gallacher developed the condition after having a benign tumour in her ear – which has left her almost deaf on one side – and now works as an ambassador for the charity Tinnitus UK.
Tinnitus affects one in seven UK adults and varies in intensity and the sounds people hear.
“It can be caused by, for example, stress, anxiety,” Gallacher explained. “It can be through loud music, having spent years in a band, lots of musicians have tinnitus.”
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Gallacher said she wanted to raise awareness because “it can devastate lives” of those who suffer from it badly and “some people can’t cope”.
“It’s really very sad and very emotional when you hear some stories,” she added.
