Platform 51

Platform 51 supports girls and women as they take control of their lives.

what we do

violence and abuse

Three million women in the UK experience rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, sexual exploitation or another form of violence each year.

One-in-four women are affected by domestic violence in their lifetime.

The problem

In a survey of 14- to 21-year-olds, almost half the young men and a third of young women thought it would be acceptable for a man to hit a female partner in some circumstances. One-in-eight young men considered nagging a justification for violence and one-in-five tolerated forced sex.

One-in-five teenage girls have been physically hurt by someone they were dating. Nearly a quarter of 14-year-olds have been forced to have sex or do something sexual they didn't want to do by someone they were dating.

Financial abuse

Young woman at cashpoint Women who are financially dependent on men (their husbands, partners, fathers, brothers, uncles) are at risk of financial abuse: being denied or manipulated with money to control or harm them.

One third of the women we surveyed had experienced financial abuse. Girls with learning difficulties are particularly vulnerable to being tricked and exploited.

Rights and education

There needs to be a change in attitudes to violence and abuse, it must not be seen as normal or acceptable. Women need to know they don’t have to tolerate it. Girls need to know how to reduce risks when going out with men and who to turn to if things go wrong.

To prevent abuse and violence we must teach women about respect and rights; good and bad relationships. We must help women to build the confidence they need to take a stand against abuse, and not consider it normal.

man grabbing young woman