Women's safety group accused of setting back sexual violence debate

The photograph is of women standing outside the Houses of Parliament in June wearing summer clothes. It could blend into an Instagram feed as any other snap of friends getting together, but for the St George’s flags they are holding, and the caption.

- Michaela Makusha

“What motivates us?” it reads. “We love our country and want to protect its women and girls. Simple.”

They are the Women’s Safety Initiative (WSI), a grassroots movement whose stated mission is “to expose the dangers of uncontrolled immigration, put women and girls first, advocate for victims, and demand real solutions”. According to a GoFundMe page, they raised £12,000 ahead of their launch and they claim to have more than 500 members.

And their message is spreading. They have gained thousands of followers on social media in recent weeks and last month they met Robert Jenrick MP to discuss their work.

As protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers have spread throughout the summer, one narrative has gained increasing traction: that hotels full of young men are posing a safety risk to British women and girls.