Arming girls with the tools and
resilience they need
International Women’s Day 2026
Misogyny doesn’t start in adulthood: it starts in school corridors, group chats and playgrounds.
Nearly 80% of 16–24-year-old girls and women say they felt unable to challenge boys and men who spoke to or touched them in a way that made them uncomfortable.
Reasons ranged from not feeling confident enough (42%) not feeling safe enough to do so (35%) and not knowing what to say (35%).
The research, released as part of Solace’s International Women’s Day campaign, also reveals that more than half of young women and girls have been sent unwanted sexual images, videos or messages by a boy or man. Fifty-five percent of this group have been spoken to or touched by a male in a way that made them uncomfortable in public, with just under half reporting this occurrence happening on public transport.
A toolkit for young people facing harassment:
1. Trust your judgement and name it for what it is
If something makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, embarrassed, or pressured, those feelings matter. You don’t have to “prove” it’s harassment by making it fit into any specific definition. Your feelings are enough – if something doesn’t feel right, it isn’t right.
Harassment can also, however, be a crime. The definition of harassment includes: unwanted comments about your body; sexual jokes, rumours, or pressure; unwanted touching; unwanted messages, images or videos of a sexual nature. It is never your fault: responsibility always lies with the person carrying out the harassment.
2. Set clear boundaries for yourself or friends if it feels safe to do so
Sometimes a firm, simple statement does the trick:
“Stop. That’s not okay.”
“Don’t talk to me like that.”
“Leave me alone.”
You don’t owe anyone politeness when they’re disrespecting you. Only say these things if you feel safe: remember, it’s always ok just to walk away.
3. Talk to a trusted adult
Remember: it is not your fault.
You will not get ‘in trouble’. Whether it’s a parent or caregiver, teacher, coach or anyone else you feel safe talking to, you deserve support and reporting harassment helps protect you and others.
4. Save evidence if you can
If the harassment happens online or via your phone, don’t delete messages, photos, or comments and take screenshots, as these can be used as evidence. If the incident was verbal, write down what happened, when, and where. If anyone else saw what happened, ask if they feel comfortable reporting the incident with you. All of these steps can help adults take action.
Remember that no evidence collection should put your safety or wellbeing at risk: don’t hesitate to block someone online, or avoid them in person.
5. Hang out with supportive friends and avoid being alone with the person, particularly in situations where it could happen again
Friends can help you leave uncomfortable situations, speak up with you or be witnesses.
There is strength in not being alone.
A toolkit for parents, carers and other adults supporting young people
1. Keep communication open and free from judgement
Create a safe, welcoming space where she can talk to you, but make it clear that she can approach any trusted adult – it doesn’t have to be you. Make sure she knows she can talk about anything without fear of blame, punishment, or overreaction. If she does come to you about these issues, listen calmly, believe her and thank her for sharing this with you.
If she feels safe talking to you, she’s much more likely to seek your support, ideally before any harassment gets out of hand.
2. Teach her what harassment is and that it is never her fault
Explain that harassment can include: unwanted comments about her body; sexual jokes, name-calling, rumours, or pressure; unwanted touching; unwanted messages, images or videos of a sexual nature. Make it clear that she is not in trouble and that responsibility always lies with the person carrying out the harassment.
3. Arm her with confidence, resilience and boundaries
Don’t wait for something to happen to have these conversations: speak to girls about what to do if they receive unwanted attention online or in person. Do they know how they would respond? What kind of response would they be comfortable with? What would they do if they saw it happen to a friend?
Encourage girls to trust their instincts; say “no” firmly, if it feels safe to do so; leave situations that make them uncomfortable; stay with supportive friends.
Confidence and preparation can help girls respond safely.
4. Take any report seriously and take action when needed
If she tells you something happened: stay calm; document what happened; contact the venue where it happened (eg, school), if appropriate; escalate, if necessary, to protect her safety.
Your response shows her she deserves support and respect.
5. Monitor and guide online activity respectfully
With the way teenagers spend their time and socialise now, parents and carers need to ask them about their day online as well as at in-person spaces like school. You can also help them keep themselves safe by discussing things like why it’s important not to share personal images in certain online spaces and showing them how and when to report and block harassers.
By focusing on guidance, rather than spying, adults can establish trust and support girls to build their own confidence and resilience.
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