Response to inquiry launched about sexual harassment

This statement is in response to the launch of the Women and Equalities Select Committee inquiry into sexual harassment.

Lucy Russell, UK Girls’ Rights Campaign Manager, said: “We welcome the Women and Equalities Select Committee’s inquiry into sexual harassment. The #MeToo and #TimesUp movement has encouraged women to speak out about their experiences of harassment and abuse. We are delighted girls' experiences will be listened to and taken seriously.

“Sadly, many women and girls experience harassment in their day-to-day life and consider it ‘the norm’. However, it needs to be recognised that sexual comments and unwanted sexual touching are sexual assault, they are gender based violence and they make public spaces unsafe for women and girls.

“From our research we know that girls don’t feel safe on the street or online, and they go to great lengths to avoid being harassed by adopting safety strategies to reduce the risk. Girls have told us about stopping their daily jog because the harassment was so bad, and several girls said they felt anxious about working the late shift at their local pub or shop because of being harassed when they left work.

"Girls have a right to feel safe and move about towns, cities and villages freely, and we welcome the Committee's new work to make this a reality."