Street Harassment Survey
A UK-wide study gathering lived experiences of harassment and predatory behaviour to inform policing and prevention
A new UK-wide study from the University of Birmingham is inviting people to share their experiences of street sexual harassment and predatory behaviour in public spaces.
It’s part of a wider ESRC-funded project working with policing partners - with a clear aim: to understand what’s actually happening on the ground, and what needs to change.
This includes the kinds of behaviours many people recognise but rarely see properly addressed - unwanted comments, persistent advances, following, intimidation, or attempts to isolate someone in public.
The survey is open to UK-based adults (18+) who have experienced or witnessed these behaviours in public spaces - from streets and parks to bars, clubs, and transport.
It takes around 30–45 minutes, is completely anonymous, and you’re in control throughout. You can skip questions, pause, or leave at any time. No identifiable data is collected.
Given the nature of the topic, it may feel difficult at points. Support information is provided, and participation is entirely voluntary - only take part if it feels right for you.
Why this matters is simple. Too often, conversations about safety, prevention, and policing happen without the people most affected shaping them. This research is trying to ground those conversations in real experience - what people face, what feels effective, and what doesn’t.
The findings will feed into research, policing approaches, and future prevention strategies. If change is going to mean anything in practice, it has to start from how these behaviours are actually lived - not just how they’re defined.
For more information: street-harass-study@contacts.bham.ac.uk
