Around half of women will avoid Christmas parties this year over safety fears, a study suggests.
Some 49 per cent of women and 31 per cent of men plan to stay in due to worries about their welfare when travelling home from work parties.
A fifth of men and women said they had been harassed on their commute to and from the office, the poll of 2,000 workers also revealed.
The study, from personal safety app WalkSafe, comes on the eve of an independent review into women’s safety in public spaces following the murder of Sarah Everard by Metropolitan Police firearms officer Wayne Couzens, who targeted the 33-year-old as she walked home in 2021.
Lady Angiolini will publish part two of her report later today, focusing on whether other predators are lurking in forces as well as police culture and broader issues about the protection of women.
In the latest research, around 46 per cent of women and a third of men said drinking alcohol at work events increases their fear about travelling home.
A third of women were worried about their safety during Christmas shopping trips after it goes dark, the research also found.
Brighton topped the poll for the city where workers were most concerned about attending festive get-togethers, followed by Birmingham and London.
Some 49 per cent of women and 31 per cent of men plan to stay in due to worries about their welfare when travelling home from work parties (stock photo)
Younger people were the most fearful, with 49 per cent of those aged 18 to 27 saying they were worried about going to their Christmas parties.
Almost a third of respondents said a professional team should be set up by workplaces to check they get home safely during the party season, with one in six planning to order taxis in advance.
Emma Kay, WalkSafe’s founder, said: ‘Christmas and the party season that traditionally comes with it should be a time to be enjoyed, catch up with colleagues and friends and celebrate the year.
‘People should be able to let their hair down without worrying about their safety.
‘Sadly, this research shows women, men and especially young people do not feel safe at festive events or travelling to and from them in the darker, winter nights.
‘This is simply not right and shows a failure in how employers are looking after their workers in some cases.’