"Findings in this study reveal that girls are equally concerned about their emotional and physical safety, and threats to feelings of safety negatively impact the quality of a girl's life," said Stephanie Smetana, Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Santiam Council. "As the leader on issues of relevance to girls, our goal is to bring attention to their concerns in the Albany community and empower girls and adults in their lives to develop effective coping methods."

Girls Fears Defined: While girls in the study listed kidnappers, terrorists, theft, being left alone, gang violence and school shootings among those things that make them feel physically unsafe, emotional safety is of top concern in their everyday lives:

Most girls in the study define safety through their relationships with others. Girls say they feel safest when they are with people they love, with mothers and fathers topping the list. However, as teens grow older their trust in adults tends to diminish. The study reveals that almost one-quarter of teens have fewer than three adults they can go to if they are in trouble or need help.

More than one-third of teens worry about finding peers to talk to and trust, while 38 percent of tween and teen girls worry about their emotional safety when they are with their peers.

When asked what worries them most in their every day lives - 32 percent of girls said they fear being teased.

Although adults may think teens don’t consider the consequences of risky behavior, the study's findings reveal that teen girls feel vulnerable in situations where drugs and alcohol are involved.

The Domino Effect of Feeling Unsafe: "A key finding reveals that girls' relationships make them feel safe, or not, in a given space or situation," said Judy Schoenberg, Ed.M., lead researcher for Feeling Safe. What Girls Say. "Consequently, girls' overall well-being is diminished when they lack positive relationships, and they may not feel safe."

Feeling safe is associated with the following:

• 32 percent of girls who feel emotionally unsafe feel they can do anything if they try (compared to 59 percent who feel safe).
• 31 percent of girls who feel unsafe have trouble paying attention in school (compared to 6 percent who feel safe).
• 38 percent of girls who feel emotionally unsafe often feel sad (compared to 5 percent who feel safe).
• 22 percent of girls who feel emotionally unsafe often feel that they have no one to talk to (compared to 4 percent who feel safe).
• 38 percent of girls who feel emotionally unsafe worry about finding adults to talk to and trust (compared to 17 percent who feel safe).

What Adults Need to Know: Findings note that girls who generally feel unsafe internalize their concerns by crying, sleeping and eating more or less than girls who feel safe. With help from adults, girls need to develop additional strategies to deal with their feelings of unsafe. Adults may consider partnering with girls to address their safety issues, initiating conversations about safety and understanding the seriousness of their emotional distress.

For additional information on Feeling Safe: What Girls Say and for tips on how to help girls cope with feeling unsafe.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's preeminent organization for girls, with a membership of more than 3.6 million girls and adults. Now in its 92^nd year, Girl Scouting continues to help cultivate values, social consciousness and self-esteem in girls, while also teaching them critical life skills that will enable them to succeed as adults. The Girl Scouts of Santiam Council serves 4,266 in Benton, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. To volunteer, join, or make a donation, please call 800-875-2451.