In light of recent events, sexism and women’s safety is being brought to the forefront of public debate. Young voices, arguable some of the most important in society, are being elevated as many schools and school pupils in the area join in the national conversation.

A particular concern that has been highlighted recently is women’s safety in public spaces such as public transport, parks and walkways, which in theory should be safe for everyone. In March this year, a study was conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UN Women about the prevalence and reporting of sexual harassment in these UK spaces. One of the key findings of the study was that 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space, with the number rising to 86% among 18-24 year olds.

When asked about specific instances which felt the least safe, high school student Alice O’Sullivan shared many times, that during her commute to and from school, she felt afraid or uncomfortable. 

‘When you’re sitting on a bench in a train station and a bunch of men all stand around you. That’s really scary. When you get on the train and even though there’s loads of empty carriages one man just goes directly into your carriage. When there are loads of empty seats so you go and sit in a corner and a guy sits right next to you. When you’re on the bus and you ding the button and some guy realises and follows you down at the same time and sometimes outside the bus. Then you have to walk the whole way home terrified he’s stalking you.’

‘It doesn’t matter if it’s not all men,’ said another student, Kari Ortiz. ‘We never know when to be scared so we’re just constantly scared.’

One of the key issues surrounding this topic is that women seem to be the only ones who are told and taught to change. Change their behaviours. Change their lifestyle. Change their opinions. Women are brought up being told how to behave and perform for men. They are taught to watch their drinks, never walk alone at night, hold keys between their knuckles, have location services on, and read the signs of predatory men. 

Daily, women and girls must be brave. 

Not only is it normalised nowadays for women's freedom to be forfeited for their safety but also for women to be the ones who harbour guilt and shame for things that happen to them. 

‘Three days in a row,’ Alice said. ‘This man would yell disgusting things at me. And then someone said it was my fault because my skirt was too short.’

In a society where a woman’s value is constantly reduced to her physical appearance how is it fair to then blame her experiences on that very thing? Women can and will never truly be safe until people stop invalidating these victims, blaming these victims, until people start encouraging the voices of these victims. Women will never be safe until people start challenging these misogynistic ideas.

‘You can think it’s wrong but you’ve got to say something,’ said Alice. ‘Otherwise you’re just complicit.’

Saying something, are many high schools in the area who are addressing misogyny in their institutions. This brings about a good question. Are schools equipped to tackle this immense social issue? If not, then where might this conversation be better suited?

‘I think you can be taught a bunch of stuff like how to not abuse girls and what consent means,’ said student Pearl Whitehead. ‘But nothing will change unless boys learn to call each other out when there aren’t any girls around.’

It is clear that change is needed. And it is fair to say that schools are trying; however, perhaps the scale of change we are looking for needs to start elsewhere. Following the psychology of the apple not falling far from the tree, it could be said that this place is in the home. 

More than ever, brothers, fathers, uncles, and grandfathers must stand together as strong role models for young boys. If all men took on that responsibility alongside women a real difference could be made. A united front could be formed and the blurring of lines cleared.

Because in this conversation, it is the men and boys, just as much as the women and girls, who must be brave.