An overwhelming majority of British women are living in a state of perpetual vigilance, with a staggering 86% admitting they are 'always on guard' against potential harassment and violence in public spaces, a major new study has revealed.
The alarming data, compiled by the groundbreaking research project Femicensus, paints a stark picture of the daily reality for women across the UK. It found that a mere 2% of women feel completely safe when going about their daily lives.
The Chilling Statistics of Fear
The findings are a damning indictment of public safety for women. The research, which gathered responses from over 40,000 women, details the extent of the crisis:
- 86% of women feel the need to be constantly aware of their surroundings.
- Over half have experienced some form of public sexual harassment.
- Women are routinely altering their behaviour, from changing their routes to pretending to be on phone calls, as a defensive tactic.
Broadcaster and journalist Sangita Myska, reacting to the report, expressed her profound lack of surprise, stating it confirms what women have known and lived for decades. "The threat of violence doesn't just exist in the dark alleyways; it's on our high streets, on public transport, and in broad daylight," she emphasised.
A Nationwide Call for Change
This isn't just about isolated incidents; it's about a pervasive culture that limits women's freedom and autonomy. The study suggests that the fear of harassment is a primary factor governing women's movements, influencing what they wear, where they go, and when they feel they can go out.
The Femicensus data is being hailed as a crucial piece of evidence, providing the large-scale quantitative data needed to push for concrete policy changes. Campaigners and MPs are now urging the government to recognise public sexual harassment as a specific criminal offence, a move they argue would make streets safer and make it easier to report and prosecute offenders.
This report moves the conversation beyond anecdotal evidence, providing the hard numbers that campaigners hope will finally force a national reckoning and lead to tangible action to protect women and girls across Britain.
