Report shows almost 50% of girls under 18 feel unsafe in UK cities

[Turborama]

Source: The Observer (UK)

Tracy McVeigh, Sunday September 19 2010 -

Almost half of girls aged up to 18 feel unsafe in the UK's biggest cities and are often scared to go out in their own neighbourhoods, research by the Plan UK children's charity has shown.

One in five respondents said they felt threatened by gangs, and 17% said they feared someone would assault them. More than 40% said they knew someone who had been attacked or assaulted.

The girls, aged between 11 and 18, were questioned as part of a wider international report to be published by Plan UK next week.

Entitled Because I am a Girl, the report examines the problems facing girls in cities across the developed and developing world.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/19/girls-feel-unsafe-uk-cities-report

[uncommon]

1. Nothing new here, but

still important.

[lunatica]

2. Only half?

They must be better off than the 18 year old girls in every other country then. When I was 18 I knew better than to feel completely safe in public, and that was based on experience which I think every other 18 year old experiences too.

[AlbertCat]

3. Only half?

Really. That's a good statistic! How do they feel in Moscow? Karachi? Mumbai? Bangkok? Rio? Mexico City? NYC?

No doubt Conservatives here would suggest they all carry guns.

[lunatica]

5. I grew up in Mexico City

Which is why I said what I did.

I meant to sound sarcastic about their number as being half. I don't believe the numbers. I think much more than half fear being out alone during the day, much less at night. I can't imagine an 18 year old woman saying she feels completely safe when she leaves her house.

[PSPS]

4. Such perceptions are largely propelled by the media

In the US, people's perceptions of reality are wildly skewed by what is shown in the media. Innumerable crime shows, tabloid-style "news" shows that emphasize the rarest of occurrences and the fear mongering of politicians for political purposes all brainwash the masses.

Is the media in the UK as ridiculous as it is in the US?

[pinboy3niner]

6. In the case of harassment and violence towards women, it's not skewed at all

If anything, it is under-reported.



edit: typo, add comment on under-reporting.

[left coaster]

7. You are absolutely right! nt

[roxiejules]

9. good one!!

[Odin2005]

8. K&R