Girls’ Safety: What the 2025 Girlguiding Survey Reveals
The 2025 Girlguiding Girls’ Attitudes Survey reveals a worrying truth - many girls are changing how they live, dress, and even behave in public to avoid harassment. Fear is influencing their choices at school, on the streets, and online - and it shouldn’t be this way.
Episode 21
Helping girls replace fear with confidence and strengtH
In this episode, Julie Waite (women’s safety advocate and Co-Founder of Streetwise Defence) explores what the Girlguiding report tells us - and how parents, carers, and teachers can help girls feel safer, stronger, and more confident in everyday life.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How to talk about safety with young people without creating fear
Why awareness and prevention are more empowering than restriction
Simple ways to teach boundaries, confidence, and self-belief
Everyday safety habits for school, travel, and social life
How to support girls when they share safety concerns or experiences.
Why This Episode Matters
The latest Girlguiding research shows that:
68% of girls aged 11–21 have changed their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment
24% of girls have stopped speaking up in class to avoid harassment
1 in 10 have missed school to avoid harassment.
These aren’t just statistics - they represent real fear and lost confidence in a generation of young women.
But by opening calm, supportive conversations and teaching realistic safety skills, we can help girls replace fear with awareness, resilience, and confidence to live life fully.
SUBSCRIBE ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORM
Don’t want to miss an episode? Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform to see our latest shows in your feed.
Build Your Confidence Further
If you’d like to go a little deeper and build real confidence, we’ve created something to support you.
👉 Explore our 7 Day Self Defence for Women online course
Join Our Community
If you’d like more practical tips and insights, you’re very welcome to join our newsletter.
You’ll receive:
30% off our online self defence courses
A free street safety guide
Simple, real-world safety tips each month
recommendations for personal safety alarms & self defence gadgets
Check out our list of the self defence gadgets to buy and avoid and get pro tips and product reviews.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Self Defence Workshops for Schools - ask your school to host a workshop
Share this episode with someone you want to keep safe!
Click the links below to share this episode with a loved one or friend who needs to hear this.
Legal Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we aim to share practical self defence strategies, listeners are responsible for understanding and complying with the laws in their country or region. Streetwise Defence and its hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on this content.