New research released reveals that almost half of women in the UK (47%) say they feel most unsafe on public transport.
The research, released ahead of International Women’s Day, highlights a stark contrast in how men and women experience everyday situations, with roughly six in ten men believing safety concerns are sometimes exaggerated. It forms the basis of See What She Sees, a powerful new campaign by Beyond Equality and creative agency Forsman & Bodenfors.
The survey, conducted by the National Research Group among 2,000 UK respondents, demographically representative of the UK population, also found seven out of ten women feel concerned about being followed or harassed when alone in public (versus 44% of men). Additionally, nearly two-thirds (65%) of women say safety fears limit their social and professional participation, compared to just over half (55%) of men. Meanwhile nearly two-thirds of women (64%) experience poor mental health due to safety concerns, compared to 56% of men.
Over half of men also experience safety concerns, with the highest rates among Black men who also have the highest rates of concern for women’s safety.
Further statistics include:
- 84% of women actively avoid certain places/situations due to safety concerns
- 65% of women keep items that can be used for self-defence or protection close to hand
- 78% of women feel the need to plan routes or mode of transportation to avoid potential risks
- 77% of women it’s too dangerous to walk alone at night – only 10% say they feel safe enough to walk alone
- 76% of women feel concerned about being followed or harassed when I am alone in public
Dan Guinness, managing director of Beyond Equality, a charity promoting positive masculinities, said:
“That nearly half of women feel most unsafe on public transport is a stark reality—especially when we consider how many rely on it for commuting and their everyday lives. This campaign highlights differences in how genders experience risk and safety concerns. Encouragingly, while 90% of women want men to take more responsibility in calling out inappropriate behaviour, 95% of men agree they share equal responsibility for ensuring women’s safety.”
Running across the UK in the lead-up to International Women’s Day 2025, the See What She Sees campaign will be featured on billboards, print, social media, and contextual ads, made possible through donated media space.
“The idea is simple: when it comes to physical safety, men and women often experience the same situations in completely different ways. Women know this instinctively—but many men, even the so-called ‘good guys,’ remain unaware. After all, they’ve probably never had to see the world quite the same way,” said Guinness.
Helen James, CEO of Forsman & Bodenfors in London, added:
“While systemic change is important, these findings show women expect real, everyday allyship from men—not just policy shifts. They want men to understand how they experience everyday situations differently and to actively step up in their social circles.”
The findings also show that women strongly support (87%) men in dealing with their own experiences of harm and violence, paving the way for a safer society for all. More than eight out of ten female respondents acknowledge that men, too, are affected, thanks to societal expectations around strength and aggression.
To view the campaign, access resources and learn more about Beyond Equality’s work with men and boys, visit www.SeeWhatSheSees.com
About Beyond Equality Beyond Equality is a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming gender norms and fostering healthier, more inclusive communities. Through our interactive workshops and programs, we engage men and boys in critical conversations about masculinity, relationships, and equality. By challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting empathy, respect, and allyship, we create spaces where everyone can thrive. Our mission is to drive cultural change and build a world free from gender-based violence and discrimination—one conversation at a time.
About Forsman & Bodenfors Founded in 1986, Forsman & Bodenfors has achieved global fame as a creative collective that transforms businesses and shifts culture. One of the most awarded agencies in the world, F&B is renowned for its uniquely flat structure, radically collaborative ways and highly creative ideas that transcend media and earn their way into culture for clients including Volvo, Oatly, H&M, LG, P&G and Therabody. The collective has grown from Swedish roots to offices around the world, including Gothenburg, Stockholm, London, Dublin, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Toronto and New York. The first creative agency to be certified by the Fair Pay Workplace for gender pay equity, Forsman & Bodenfors is part of the challenger network Stagwell.
About National Research Group (NRG) NRG is a leading global insights and strategy firm at the intersection of entertainment and technology. Rooted in four decades of industry expertise, the world’s leading marketers turn to us for insights into growth and strategy for any content, anywhere, on any device. Working at the confluence of content, culture and technology, NRG offers insights for bold storytellers everywhere.
