Trigger warning: this article covers sexual harassment, online abuse, and Violence Against Women and Girls. Read on with care.
It’s Not Just Online—It’s Everywhere
The UK Parliament’s latest POSTnote 750 exposes a harsh truth: violence against women and girls (VAWG) in schools and youth spaces is rising, and the digital world is amplifying it. Young women, especially girls aged 10–15, are experiencing online harassment, intimate image sharing, cyberstalking, and even grooming, and it’s hitting them harder than ever.
Nearly half (47%) of 11–21-year-olds say they feel less safe now than a decade ago. This is a brutal indicator of the changing landscape.
Violence Against Women and Girls: The Impact Hits Where It Hurts
This isn’t a fleeting issue. The impacts are deep and long-lasting:
- Mental health: Victims face anxiety, depression, and trauma.
- Education: School attendance drops, especially among girls fearing harassment.
- Confidence: Many avoid male-dominated subjects or exclude themselves entirely from spaces where they don’t feel safe.
- Digital silence: A 2024 report found that 64% of young people believe girls avoid online spaces, like debates or games, because they fear abuse by men.
This isn’t about numbers, it’s about silenced voices, dreams deferred, and confidence stolen.
What’s Being Done, and What’s Missing?
The government has pledged to halve technology-facilitated VAWG. It’s a big goal, but will it actually reach youth experiences? Meanwhile, a new cross-government VAWG strategy is expected in September 2025. Good to hear, but we need to know what’s in it.
The brief focuses on prevention and outcomes, not on analyzing who’s behind the abuse, so there’s hope in the roadmap, but still serious gaps.
