Strictly star, podcaster and mother of two Angela Scanlon has thrown her support behind new laws to protect women and girls, including social media restrictions for under 16s. In an exclusive interview, the 42-year-old revealed she shares the fear many women feel when walking alone in the dark.
Fear of Walking in the Dark
New polling from YouGov found that nine out of 10 women have felt unsafe walking after dark. Angela admitted she is among them. “As a woman you have a fake phone call in the back of a taxi. You hold your keys between your fingers as you’re running to the door,” she said. “I don't think there’s any woman on the planet who hasn’t experienced being afraid walking home in the dark - or not the dark for that matter.”
The research also revealed that one in three young women avoid walking locally due to safety fears, and seven in 10 have altered their routes during winter. In response, Active Travel England (ATE) has announced new government guidance for councils to improve street safety, focusing on lighting, route maintenance, and antisocial behaviour.
New Legislation Against Catcalling
As of April, a new law under the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy makes public harassment based on sex a criminal offence. Behaviours such as following, catcalling, and intimidation can now lead to up to two years in prison. Jess Phillips, former Minister for Safeguarding, said: “If you think that shouting at a teenage girl in a school uniform from your van about her appearance doesn’t make her walk a different way home... I want this shame to change sides.”
Angela welcomed the change: “Catcalling has now been made illegal and it’s a definite move in the right direction. I think it’s great. It’s tough because it's on a spectrum but I think anything that helps men to check their behaviour can only be a good thing.”
Maltesers Campaign and Sisterhood Code
Angela is the face of a new Maltesers campaign highlighting silent solidarity among women. Data from the brand shows 68% of women can tell what another woman is thinking just by looking at her, and 89% use an unspoken “Sisterhood Code” to communicate and support each other. “Women are the real protectors of women,” Angela said. “Safety is a very real issue - and one every woman understands.”
Concerns for Her Daughters
Angela, who lives in North London with husband Roy Horgan and daughters Ruby, eight, and Marnie, six, worries about their safety. “It’s hard isn't it? We’re hyper aware. I’m one of four girls and now I realise my mum must have been worried all the time.” She tries to raise her daughters to be strong and independent: “I try to build my girls up and allow them to be wild spirited strong feisty little rips... sharpen your elbows babes, let's go.”
Support for Social Media Restrictions
Angela also supports calls for social media restrictions for under 16s, following Australia’s ban. A recent Mirror poll found 66% of readers favour such restrictions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Every parent knows this is a real and growing concern... I’ve been clear that something must be done.”
Angela, who has 505,000 Instagram followers, backs a total ban: “I love it, I fully support restrictions - and in fact, a total ban. There’s too much evidence which points to how bad social media is... A collective ban is really the only way.” She urged Starmer to act: “Come on Keir Starmer, let’s do it for the kids.”
To learn more about the Sisterhood Code, visit www.maltesers.co.uk/sisterhood-code.
