This Morning star says 'I don't feel safe' and fears over misogyny in boys and Andrew Tate
This Morning favourite Ashley James has vowed to continue fighting for the safety and equality of girls as she’s announced as ambassador for Girlguiding.
The mum-of-two says it’s a scary place for girls with the rise of sexism, misogyny and accessing sexualised deepfakes. She’s teamed up with the youth organisation to push for change on International Women’s Day. “Misogynistic voices are becoming louder, more prominent and more powerful,” she said.
“I remember all the challenges that I had growing up and I just don't want that for future generations. I’m not able to be complacent, especially in this day and age with the ever increasing threat online. I feel like if I don't keep fighting then what does my son and daughter grow up in? Girls deserve better.”
Ashley, 37, says Girlguiding and their groups Rainbows and Brownies are more important than ever as they provide a safe space for young girls, as they did for her when she was growing up. With the rise of toxic masculinity and with violence against women declared a national emergency, alongside online dangers, Ashley says she’s determined to making the world a safer place for the next generation.
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Known for sharing her opinions as a regular guest on , she visited the Houses of Parliament this week to discuss sexualised deepfakes - videos and pictures made with artificial intelligence to look real - and the harm they’re doing to children. “Girlguiding research showed that more than a quarter, so 26% of children, have seen a sexualised deep fake of a friend or a teacher or a celebrity, which is much higher than I thought. And one in eight girls between 13 and 18 have received sexual threats online.
She continued: “I don't feel safe online. I've been exposed to so much sexual abuse and harassment online. The internet is still the wild west. More than 42% of young people think that more needs to be done to make sure they're safe online.” Previously condemning influencer Andrew Tate, Ashley says she's keen to educate others about "toxic" views.
“We know that toxic masculinity affects boys as well with the rise of incel culture,” says Ashley, who has son Alfie, four, and daughter Ada, two, with partner Tommy Andrews. “I feel just as much responsibility for my son as I do for my daughter, but also I want my son to know that he can have strong female role models and he can look up to women.”
As Girlguiding research shows that 95% women ages 17 to 21 experience sexism, Ashley says “it’s sad but not surprising”.
Ashley says, as a woman, she doesn’t feel safe on the streets or on the internet. “I don't feel safe either,” she admits. “I don't feel safe walking around at night. Violence against women and girls has been declared a national emergency and one woman dies at the hands of a man every three days. So many women and girls report sexist abuse and harassment - and yet I don’t see any meaningful change happening. Misogyny is on the rise, as is the manosphere, and more and more boys are turning to Andrew Tate. It feels like we’re going backwards. This is also why I’m so passionate about Girlguiding and everything they’re doing to support women and girls."
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