‘Freedom Under Threat’: New research reveals scale and impact of sexual exposure

My latest research has just been published and presents findings from the largest UK survey to date examining women’s experiences of sexual exposure, including both in-person exposure and cyberflashing. 

Drawing on responses from more than 4,000 people across the UK, the study highlights the scale of these behaviours and their significant impact on women’s safety, freedom, and everyday decision-making.

The Report was written with Professor Fiona Vera-Gray, Jo Lovett and Dr Vicky Butterby and our findings show that women are significantly more likely than men to experience both in-person sexual exposure (“flashing”) and cyberflashing, and that these experiences have tangible consequences for how women live their lives.

Widespread experiences, lasting impacts

The study found that:

• 30% of women have experienced in-person sexual exposure, compared with 9% of men

• 23% of women have experienced cyberflashing, compared with 8% of men

• Among young women aged 18–24, nearly half (45%) reported experiencing cyberflashing

  
  

These experiences are not isolated incidents. They are shaping behaviour and restricting women’s participation in everyday life.

Many women reported altering how they move through public and digital spaces, including:

• avoiding certain routes when walking or exercising

• limiting online activity

• avoiding going out alone

• changing clothing choices or avoiding public transport and facilities

  
  

Overall, around half of women who experienced sexual exposure reported feeling less safe afterwards — more than double the proportion of male victims.

Informing policing responses

The research was commissioned by the College of Policing and is now informing national training and guidance for police forces across England and Wales. More than 60,000 officers have undertaken training drawing on these findings.

The work contributes to wider efforts to improve institutional responses to non-contact sexual offending, particularly following the Angiolini Inquiry, which highlighted how such behaviours have historically been minimised despite their seriousness and escalation risks.

Further information

• The full research report, Freedom Under Threat, provides detailed findings on the prevalence and impact of flashing and cyberflashing, and has been widely covered in national media.

• Read the BBC report which discusses our findings and recent cases of cyberflashing.