The findings indicate that in addition to feeling physically safe, feeling safe emotionally is very important for preteens and teens. Girls who described themselves as emotionally unsafe also felt physically unsafe, and vice versa. Seventy-two percent of girls defined safety as not being physically hurt, and 46 percent defined it as not having their feelings hurt. When asked what worried them the most, the primary concern (32-percent response) was being teased or demeaned. The data indicate that girls living in rural areas were more concerned about emotional safety; whereas, suburban and urban girls were more concerned about physical safety. Most girls strongly believed that they could keep themselves safe, and many reported intuitive ways of noticing signals that helped them avoid danger. Most girls defined safety in terms of relationships; i.e., trusting the people around them, such as being with parents or teachers. Regarding places of safety, 56 percent felt most safe at home. Suburban and rural girls felt safer in their neighborhoods than did urban girls. Regarding coping strategies, girls who felt safe had strategies that emphasized activities with family and friends; and girls who did not feel safe, coped by withdrawing from social contact. Also, girls who felt physically unsafe were more likely to cope with emotionally threatening situations by using alcohol or drugs and spending time with people who used these same coping mechanisms. The study collected data from 2,341 girls ages 8-17, using a national online survey and a series of focus groups. The study was conducted over a 4-week period in the spring of 2003. Extensive tables and figures