Women's Views on News |
| Sexual harassment in public spaces: survey out Posted: 21 Mar 2016 08:09 AM PDT
A new survey of British women's experience of sexual harassment in public places has revealed that 85 per cent of women aged 18-24 have experienced unwanted sexual attention in public places. And 45 per cent have experienced unwanted sexual touching which could amount to sexual assault. These figures are the result of a YouGov survey commissioned by the End Violence Against Women Coalition, based on research carried out between 26 February and 1 March 2016, and and published earlier this month. It also found that 64 per cent of women of all ages throughout the UK have experienced sexual harassment in public places, and 35 per cent of all women have experienced unwanted sexual touching. Only 11 per cent of the women reported that someone else intervened when they experienced unwanted sexual touching in a public place, although 81 per cent said they would have liked someone to do so. The survey also revealed that of the women who have received unwanted sexual attention and unwanted sexual touching, more than a quarter were aged under 16 the first time it happened, and more than three quarters, a large majority, were under 21 when it first happened. The survey also found that significantly more women than men say they feel unsafe in public places (63 per cent versus 45 per cent), and almost half are doing conscious "safety planning" if they go out in the evenings, such as avoiding public transport and paying for taxis (42 per cent), leaving early (47 per cent) and taking a different route (42 per cent). The survey has been published as the London elections, local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections on 5 May loom, and in the same week as the government in Westminster 'refreshed' – and published – its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. Sarah Green, acting director at the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: "Sexual harassment is an everyday experience which women and girls learn to deal with, but it’s time to hold a mirror up to it and challenge it. "We did this survey to find out about the scale of sexual harassment and the impact it has on the way women live. "If women are planning their lives around not being harassed or assaulted, they are not free. "Women should be free to live their lives without the threat of harassment and violence, not having to plan and limit their choices to make sure they're safe." In the survey women were also asked what they thought should be done about sexual harassment in public places. Many said they supported more police (53 per cent), better street lighting (38 per cent), more transport staff (38 per cent) and public awareness campaigns encouraging others to intervene (35 per cent). Not one of the women asked believed this problem should be ignored and no measures taken. Sarah Green added: "Girls and young women are growing up in the UK today being exposed to unwanted sexual attention, harassment and assault. "They are learning to change their behaviour so they can manage these incidents because they are so regular. "We need to really question any idea that this [unwanted] behaviour is trivial or in any way acceptable given what we can see about its impact." To see the full poll results, click here.  |
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