This Morning viewers outraged after debate about new survey that claims one third of people blame women wearing short skirts for sexual assaults

THIS Morning viewers were left outraged today after a debate focusing on a new survey which claims that one third of people think women are to blame if they are drunk and wearing short skirts when sexually assaulted.

The survey, undertaken between November and December 2015 by UK gender equality charity The Fawcett Society, has been hitting headlines since it was released last week.

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The results showed that a third of women surveyed think other women shoulder responsibility for their attack if they were wearing provocative clothing on a night out.

This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield discussed the report with journalists Angela Epstein and Alison Phillips but viewers at home were baffled by the findings.

They took to Twitter in their droves to dispute the claims saying that women are 'never' to blame and what they wear shouldn't be a factor.

One wrote: "No girl is blamed for sexual assault. It doesn't matter what you wear or drink, unless you say yes then don't blame women #ThisMorning."

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Another said: "People that say the way women dress invites attacks from men are literally what is wrong with the world #thismorning."

A third said: "Madness that people believe if you wear short tight fitting clothes constitutes that you are at fault if you are raped #ThisMorning."

Someone else wrote: "Nobody has the right to attack you at any time, no matter who you are/what you're wearing/whether you're drunk or not. #thismorning."

While Angela believed there was some truth to the findings and that women should be encouraged to cover up and not drink too much in order to protect themselves, Alison strongly disagreed.

Alison pointed out: "These surveys are not based on any fact or evidence, if what people wear was proven to increase the chances [of rape], then why are there not dozens of attacks on beaches where women are wearing bikinis?"

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As the debate got heated, Phillip suggested that men should be educated about consent in the same way that women are told to keep themselves safe.

He said: "You're making it sound like women are to blame here...why don't we educate our young boys?"

Holly also interjected saying: "[Telling women to be in] a safe environment is different to what you're wearing."

Angela said: "You are not to blame but you are not invincible, be careful."

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV from 10.30am. 

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