Young people more likely to speak out against sexual harassment since #MeToo movement, research finds

'Older men have to be part of the change because they often hold positions of power. But their attitudes are lagging behind,' says Fawcett Society chief executive

The #MeToo movement precipitated a change in attitudes, but more remains to be done (Shutterstock)

Young people are more likely to speak out about inappropriate behaviour in the wake of the #MeToo movement, new research has found.

The survey published by the Fawcett Society also discovered a substantial change in attitudes to sexual harassment among all age groups. More than one in three people in Britain said they are now more likely to challenge inappropriate conduct such as lecherous remarks or unwanted advances.

The figure was found to be even higher among young men and women - with over half of 18-34 year-olds saying they are now likely to call out sexual harassment. This includes 58 per cent of young men.

The #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault exploded last autumn after a series of sexual misconduct allegations were made against powerful men in Hollywood and a slew of other industries.

The research – which was also carried out in conjunction with law company Hogan Lovells - found older people are less likely to speak out against inappropriate behaviour or have a conversation about sexual harassment.

Only 16 per cent of men aged over 55 have had a conversation with someone of the same sex about sexual harassment, compared with 54 per cent of men aged 18-34.

Nevertheless, older people do think the boundaries of acceptability have altered, with 56 per cent of men aged over 55 arguing that what other people think “is and isn't acceptable” has shifted in the last year.

"This survey confirms that we have had a year of disruptive attitudinal and behavioural change and that was long overdue," said Sam Smethers, Fawcett Society chief executive. "Other evidence shows we are also still seeing significant numbers of women being sexually harassed at work. Now it is time for tougher legislation and real, lasting culture change.

“We need to bring back Section 40 of the Equality Act which would outlaw harassment from customers and clients. But we also need to go further and place a new duty on large employers to prevent discrimination and harassment. Employers have to take responsibility for their own workplace culture.

“Older men have to be part of the change because they often hold positions of power. But their attitudes are lagging behind. They don’t seem to realise the #MeToo movement is also about them.”

Sexual harassment is the most common safety risk that women and girls face in large cities across the globe, according to a separate poll of about 400 experts on women and children’s issues which was released on Tuesday.

Almost 80 per cent of respondents to the international poll by charity Plan International said harassment was common in public areas of their cities - ranking it as the top danger for urban women ahead of rape, theft and robbery.

More than half of those they spoke to said it was not safe for girls to go out on their own at night.

The research by the humanitarian group found Colombia’s sprawling capital, Bogota, is the worst city for girls and young women to live in when it comes to sexual harassment.

The report, titled "Girls' Safety in Cities across the World", surveyed almost 400 experts in 22 cities across six continents in order to look at the safety risks posed to girls and young women on a large scale.

It found Lima is the world's most dangerous city for girls to go out alone, either during the day or the night, with Johannesburg the worst for theft, robbery and sexual assault or rape.

The report found Stockholm to be the safest city for sexual harassment and for girls to leave the house alone or use public transport.