On a single harrowing night in July 2017, a young girl—just 14—was raped twice: first in a secluded corner of Witton train station in Birmingham, an
Photo by Ben Iwara/Unsplash.com
On a single harrowing night in July 2017, a young girl—just 14—was raped twice: first in a secluded corner of Witton train station in Birmingham, and then again after flagging down a vehicle for help—only to be harmed by that driver too uk.news.yahoo.com+9ibtimes.co.uk+9belfasttelegraph.co.uk+9. This isn’t included to traumatize, but rather to underscore why we intentionally raise our daughters—with radical care, resilience, and wisdom—to approach other women first.
Safety Through Sisterhood
In the immediate aftermath of trauma, the people we feel safest with are often those who live our shared vulnerabilities. Women—because of social conditioning, life experiences, and empathy—tend to offer instinctive, intuitive support. While it’s a hard truth that women may sometimes manipulate, the rate and severity are statistically lower compared to men—and importantly, women’s reactions are more likely to adapt, repair, and grow rather than intensify or repeat harm.
Men and the Noise of Rage
When men fail us, their response is often anger or defensiveness—not transformation. And when we teach our daughters to first seek women, we’re not saying all men are dangerous. Rather, we’re shifting the balance: ensuring she first claims compassionate, emotionally available help before she faces the challenge of navigating male care in critical moments.
Parenting with Intent
Here’s how parents can bring this into their everyday guidance:
Normalize seeking female allies first. When your daughter gets lost or scared, encourage her to reach out to a woman nearby—whether that’s asking a mother with children, a school staff member, or any adult woman she feels safe with.
Create a trusted network of women. Build a mental Rolodex—grandmothers, teachers, neighbors—who she can count on in emergencies.
Teach boundaries and assessment. Role-play scenarios where she learns to quickly read intentions and choose who to approach.
Empower emotional intelligence. Guide her in trusting her instincts, understanding emotional cues, and using voice over fear.
Continuing the Conversation
At Rosa’s Children, we believe our girls deserve preparation—not paranoia, connection—not avoidance, empowerment—not fear. By encouraging them to turn first toward women, we’re giving them a circle of care built on empathy, alertness, and adaptability.