Sad and worrying new data has been revealed about the safety of young women in London. Eight in ten young women in the capital have experienced sexual harassment or assault in London in the past two years. The shocking statistics were published by FORWARD, an African women-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls. It further revealed that eight in ten women aged 16-34 experienced sexual harassment or assault. 7% reported having been forced into sexual behavior.

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The data also revealed a racial element to the sexual harassment. More than half of the ethnic women surveyed said the sexual harassment or assault they experienced was related directly to their racial or ethnic identity. After some minority women rejected sexual comments and advances. 18% say they were racially insulted. The research was conducted in part with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and The National Lottery Community Fund. London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, said: "This report confirms what women and girls know only too well from their own experiences. The Mayor and I are determined to ensure that ending violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency by our police and society as a whole. We know that public sexual harassment is the most prevalent form of violence against women and girls."

Linden continued: "These numbers are completely unacceptable, and this report is a stark reminder of the urgent need for more action to protect and support women and girls, not only in London but across the UK. We remain fully committed to tackling these issues head-on with a public health approach. This includes working with the Met Police, Government and key partners, like FORWARD, across the capital to create a safer environment for women, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences are taken seriously." In July, a damning police report declared that Violence against women and girls is now a "national emergency" that has reached "epidemic levels."