Victim-blaming feeding young women’s fear of public spaces

Nearly a third of young women and girls surveyed in a new report said they feel unsafe alone in public spaces at night.

It also found a number of them believed clothing choices made them partly responsible for harassment or aggressive behaviour in public.

Advocates though say victim-blaming needs to be cast aside and public spaces need to be made safe for everyone, regardless of gender.

Producers:

• Steven Riggall

Speakers:

• Carolyn Whitzman - Professor in Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne