An alarming 85 per cent of young women in Britain have been sexually harassed in public places with very few people stepping in to intervene, according to a survey released today to mark the International Women's Day.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition, found that 85 per cent of women between 18 and 24 had been sexually harassed, with half of this age group said they had experienced unwanted sexual touching.
Only 11 per cent reported that someone else had intervened on their behalf while being inappropriately touched, with eight in 10 saying they would have liked someone to have stepped into to help them.
More than a quarter of women who had experienced sexual touching or harassment said they were under 16 years old when it first happened.
Overall, the research found that 64 per cent of women of all ages had experienced harassment, with more than a third (35 per cent) experiencing inappropriate touching.
Sarah Green, acting director at the EVAW, said: "If women are planning their lives around not being harassed or assaulted, they are not free.
"Women should be free to live their lives without the threat of harassment or violence, and not having to plan and limit their choices to make sure they are safe."
The survey also found that women supported more police (53 per cent), better street lighting (38 per cent), more transport staff (38 per cent), and public awareness campaigns encouraging others to intervene (35 per cent).
Later this month, EVAW will be launching a manifesto on ending violence against women and girls for the London mayoral candidates ahead of the city's election in May.
YouGov surveyed 1,650 adults in an online survey of which 889 were female and 106 were female aged 18-24.
The study was carried out between February 26 and March 1 this year.
