One in three women harassed when running alone

[Tennis]

A third of women have been harassed while out running alone, a new survey has revealed. A poll of 2,000 women showed that 32 per cent had faced some form of harassment, with more than 60 per cent saying that they felt anxious when out running solo and nearly half saying they had fears for their personal safety. More than half of the women said they would feel safer when running with a group. The research was commissioned by England Athletics ahead of today’s launch of RunTogether, a national programme to encourage people to go running.

It provides access to 700 local running groups, catering for all levels of fitness and ability. The aim is to get a million people into athletics and running by 2020. “When I started running a couple of years ago, I was a little self-conscious about how others would perceive me, so I completely empathise with how many runners feel anxious when running alone,” says Sam Mollaghan, the face of the This Girl Can Run campaign. “Now I’m a run leader, I’m able to help others to enjoy the benefits that regular running in a group has to offer – it’s such a great way to improve fitness and socialise at the same time.” Matt Birkett, head of running participation at England Athletics, said he had been shocked to discover how many women had had an unpleasant experience. “We understand that personal safety is a concern to many, which is why we offer groups across the country providing a reliable, safe and friendly environment in which people can enjoy the benefits of running.”

https://inews.co.uk/essentials/lifes...running-alone/

That is disturbingly high. It may be time to look into stiffer penalties for suspects to deter this type of behaviour. With obesity becoming more of a health crisis than ever before, we need to encourage healthy exercise.

More from the Guardian...

It’s worth pointing out: she faces comments on every single run, escalating into someone physically blocking her way, and then verbally abusing her when she asked to be left alone. For those who haven’t experienced sexual harassment this might sound shocking, but to many women it is simply the price they pay for simply choosing to jog, cycle, or exercise outside. Plenty of women have posted on Everyday Sexism with similar experiences:

As I was running to my local swimming pool, a car slowed down beside me and a guy shouted ‘whore’ at me.”

Was outside trying to enjoy a run, and in the hour I spent in public, got honked and/or shouted at no less than three times.”

I do exercise classes outside in a public park. Teenagers on bicycles yelling obscenities. Middle aged men leering openly as I stretch. Men old enough to be my father saying things that make it clear that I’m obviously only there for them to look at.”

Cycling up Stamford hill last Friday, a man grins at me saying ‘lucky saddle’. I’m 41, and heard exactly the same phrase when I was cycling to school at 16.”

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...le-out-jogging

[Independent voter]

Is this her?

[Tennis]

Is this her?

Cmon man. There are kids browsing the website and this is what you're posting.
Not to mention the article is about women in general not any singular one.

[callipygoustp]

Is "drafting" behind women joggers considered harassment?

[monkmastaeq]

Is this her?

I'd scream whore at her from a car window for sure !!!

[Independent voter]

Is "drafting" behind women joggers considered harassment?

How close are you?

[the game]

Cmon man. There are kids browsing the website and this is what you're posting.
Not to mention the article is about women in general not any singular one.

Agreed. Kids shouldn't be looking at fully clothed women.

[callipygoustp]

How close are you?

The closer I am the more effective the draft, so, pretty close!

[Tennis]

Is "drafting" behind women joggers considered harassment?

Why would you do that when you know it could make them feel anxious and unsafe?

[Allerius]

One in three? A recent survey showed three in one women were harassed actually. You shouldn't spread fake news.

[Cerilis]

Is this her?

Why is that important?

[Torto]

I'll bet this isn't an issue in Saudi Arabia.

[Vellus]

Stop making everything a gender issue

Feeling unsafe when running alone in a city is something both men and women encounter since cities are inherently more dangerous than suburbs. There's plenty of alternatives to exercise if safety is the primary concern. Gyms that include treadmills and elliptical machines are all over the place. If anyone feels uncomfortable running in their area, they shouldn't do it. Plain and simple. It's the same reason I don't walk in the dangerous parts of town.

[Henako]

Why would you do that when you know it could make them feel anxious and unsafe?

Better fuel economy.

[callipygoustp]

... It may be time to look into stiffer penalties ...

Congratulations, your blatant attempt to trigger males worked. Consider me stiffer... errr triggered.

[Independent voter]

Why is that important?

Well, sometimes the words are literally forced out of you, if you see a girl like that the word "daaaaaamn" might be forced out of you before your brain can filter it.

[Deleted]

TL: One in three women out of a select group of 2000 feel like they have experienced something they think constitutes as harassment.

[minteK917]

So only the hot ones. Kappa.

[callipygoustp]

Why would you do that when you know it could make them feel anxious and unsafe?

I like to think I put the women I draft off of at ease by alternating with them: every couple minutes I get in front of them and slow down to their speed so they can draft off of me. I have yet to hear a complaint.

[Richardbro]

We are animals. We can't forget this important fact. It is animal and human nature to be attracted to certain things.

While any physical and vocal harassment is not okay, there is nothing wrong with looking at, staring at, or admiring another human being. Compliments are okay too as long as they are not rude. If those things are not okay then we are failing as a human society and are forgetting that our goal as animals is to procreate and seek procreation.