A large proportion of women in the Netherlands report feeling unsafe in public spaces, with concerns particularly high among younger age groups, according to new research.
The study, from the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, commissioned by the national police and based on a survey of 3,568 Dutch adults, found that one in four women overall feels regularly unsafe in public. Among women under 35, this rises to more than one in three, while more than four in five women aged 18 to 34 report feeling unsafe on the streets.
The findings show that 91% of women take precautions when going out in public. These include choosing better-lit routes, sharing their location or sending messages on arrival home, and adjusting their clothing choices. By comparison, 64% of men reported taking similar precautions.
The report also highlights differences in social attitudes. Around 52% of men said a sexist joke “must be allowed,” compared with 35% of women. A fifth of men said so-called “locker-room talk” about women is acceptable. Researchers noted that acceptance of such behaviour is not limited to fringe groups, with roughly half of the self-described ‘moderates’ questioned also tolerating allegedly sexist jokes.
The study also points to growing concerns about online harassment among young women. Among women aged 18 to 34, a quarter reported receiving unsolicited sexual images, 11% said they had been doxed, and 8% experienced sextortion or non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Earlier research in Amsterdam showed similar patterns, with 85% of women saying they avoid certain parts of the city at night due to safety concerns. Parks, transport hubs, and poorly lit streets were among the most frequently avoided areas.
