Poll Finds Over One-Third of Women Have Felt Unable to Refuse Sex

A recent poll indicates that more than one-third of women have felt unable to decline a sexual encounter at least once in their lives, with 36 percent reporting this experience. Over a quarter of women stated that this has happened to them more than once.

The research, commissioned by BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, surveyed 2,000 women with the question: 'How many times, if any, have you felt unable to say no in a sexual encounter?' The findings, released in observance of the program's 80th anniversary, suggest that younger women are more prone to feeling pressured into sex.

The survey, conducted by market research firm Opinium, also found that women frequently struggle to prioritize their own needs, such as asking for pay raises or promotions.

Karen Dalziel, editor of Woman's Hour, commented on the findings, stating, "Our poll results indicate there are still barriers in place that prevent women from speaking up for themselves in important areas of their lives, whether that's feeling unable to say no in a sexual encounter or asking for a pay rise or even a promotion at work." She added, "For 80 years, Woman's Hour has championed women's voices and the issues that matter to their lives. As we mark this milestone, our polling highlights why that mission remains as important as ever."

The results also revealed that over nine in ten women sometimes put the needs of others before their own, with nearly two-thirds doing so often or always. This reluctance to prioritize themselves appears to correlate with their confidence in voicing opinions. More than 60 percent of women expressed a desire to avoid seeming demanding or difficult when stating their needs, and a similar proportion find it easier to advocate for others than for themselves.

Despite these challenges, nearly three-quarters of women desire greater female influence in national decision-making. However, only 4 percent believe their voice holds significant weight in politics and public life, with 42 percent indicating it is an area where their voice has the least influence. In contrast, two-fifths of women feel their voice carries the most influence in their personal lives, at home or among friends and family.

Younger women tend to be more optimistic about their ability to enact positive change in their lives, with over half expressing this belief, while under a third of women aged 62-80 share this sentiment. Nonetheless, nearly 20 percent of all surveyed women feel their voice carries no weight in any aspect of their lives.

In the workplace, half of working women reported discomfort when asking for a pay rise or promotion. While 57 percent feel their views are respected at work, nearly two-fifths stated that male colleagues talk over them, and a quarter reported instances of men taking credit for their ideas.