Harassment of women and young girls on the streets is 'routine and sometimes relentless' in the UK

Women and young girls being harassed on the streets is “routine and sometimes relentless” in the UK, according to a report.

The report from the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee found that women were being harassed on the streets, in parks and on public transport as well as being harassed online.

Surveys found that 64 percent of women – including 85 percent of 18-24 year-olds – had experienced unwanted sexual attention in public places, with 35 percent reporting unwanted touching.

More than 60 percent of girls and young women said they did not feel safe walking home and growing numbers of girls said they felt unsafe online.

The report detailed incidents ranging from wolf-whistling to unwanted sexual comments, groping and sexual rubbing on public transport and men exposing themselves.

It called on the Government to “show leadership” on the issue by committing to a comprehensive programme of action to make all public spaces safe for women and girls.

In the report, the committee also called for:

• Long-term publicity campaigns to tackle the attitudes which underpin sexual harassment

• A new law to criminalise the creation or sharing of non-consensual sexual images

• Investment in research and action to address the harm caused by pornography, along the lines of public health efforts to reduce legal but harmful activities like smoking

• New requirements for rail operators to tackle sexual harassment on trains, as well as action to block the use of mobile devices to view pornography on public transport

• Changes to licensing laws to require bars and clubs to take action to prevent harassment and require councils to consult women's groups before allowing lap-dancing clubs to open

• New legal obligations on universities to outlaw sexual harassment

The Government has pledged to eliminate sexual harassment of women and girls by 2030 however the committee says: "We have not seen evidence of a programme of work for achieving this goal."

Committee chair Maria Miller said: "The #MeToo movement shows that we must confront some deeply uncomfortable truths about our society and the attitudes some men hold.

"Laws alone cannot solve the cultural acceptability of sexual harassment.

"That is why we have set out a series of practical measures that Government, public transport operators, local authorities and universities should implement immediately. Public places must be made safe for all women and girls."

Additional reporting by PA.