Two-thirds of girls and young women in the UK have changed their everyday behaviour to try to stay safe, according to a survey by the Girlguiding charity. The research found that 56% of girls aged 11 to 21 said they feel unsafe travelling alone, up from 45% in 2022, while 31% avoid taking public transport alone.
The annual Girls’ Attitudes survey revealed that 86% of respondents have avoided going out after dark to stay safe, with girls of colour less likely to step out. Overall, 68% said they changed their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment, with 32% altering what they wear. More than a quarter (28%) avoided places where they used to socialise, and 12% changed where they exercise.
Girls with disabilities felt particularly unsafe travelling, with only 17% feeling secure on public transport compared with 33% of non-disabled girls. The survey also explored misogyny in schools: 58% of girls aged 11 to 18 reported male pupils making toxic comments, and 32% saw a teacher subjected to sexist or misogynistic abuse.
One in 10 girls aged 11 to 16 said they do not feel safe at school, rising to more than two in 10 for LGBTQ+ girls and three in 10 for disabled girls. One in 10 intentionally missed school to lower the risk of sexual harassment, a figure that doubles for girls with disabilities (21%) and rises to 18% for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ girls. Among younger pupils, a third of girls aged seven to 10 (32%) experienced uncomfortable comments from boys, and 17% said boys regularly comment on their bodies.
Girlguiding called on local authorities and schools to publish plans to tackle misogyny and for politicians to engage with girls on their fears and make public transport safer. Amanda Azeez, acting chief executive of Girlguiding, said: “Although a lot of progress has been made… in some areas, like the treatment and behaviour that girls face, things sadly haven’t changed at all.”
