Women complain of being hassled as new law delayed

A woman has opened up about the moment she was told she looked “rapeable” by a group of men, as campaigners say 1.5 million young women have been harassed while the government delays enforcing a new law.

- TARA COBHAM

Charli Keely said she was just 18 years old and on her way to a lecture during the terrifying experience. She recalled running back to her home to change her clothes because of how “unsafe” the men made her feel.

Thursday marked two years since the public sexual harassment act became law - yet, according to the activists who campaigned for the bill, it remains unenforced due to delayed guidance from the government.

During the two years since the act was passed, new data analysis revealed that almost 1.5 million young women aged 16 to 24 have faced harassment. Meanwhile, half of girls say public sexual harassment has become worse over this time, rising to 57 per cent among those aged 18 to 21.

Charity Plan International UK and grassroots organisation Our Streets Now are urging the government to publish statutory guidance immediately, as well as introduce preventative education to tackle attitudes that fuel harassment, warning that “until this happens, women and girls across the UK are being failed”.