‘National emergency’: 81% of women feel unsafe on night’s out

Violence against women and girls has been referred to as a ‘national emergency.’

Transcript

00:00According to research conducted by Dr Ruth Lewis and Dr Amanda McBride at Northumbria University,

00:06sexual harassment of women in night-time economy is reportedly causing shame, anger and fear with

00:12women feeling unsafe on nights out. Now, ITV News recently conducted a survey of 18 to 25-year-olds

00:18wherein results showed 81% of young women say they feel unsafe when walking home in the dark.

00:24The newly-appointed government minister of safeguarding, Jess Phillips, recently said

00:28this figure did not come as any surprise, describing the issue of violence against

00:33women and girls as a national emergency. Dr Amanda McBride said about her research,

00:38quote, shame and stigma go hand-in-hand to police, women's behaviour and have always

00:44been a fundamental aspect of the maintenance of men's violence. Traditionally, women have

00:49been held responsible for their own victimisation and have been advised to adjust their own behaviour

00:55to avoid harassment and violence. But these responses show there is a contemporary shift

01:00towards holding those who sexually intrude to account.