More than 2/3 of women experience harassment while running, study finds

Disturbing findings from a University of Manchester study shed light on the harassment experienced by women while running, unveiling the reality that such incidents have become routine. With more than two-thirds of women experiencing harassment during their runs, the study exposes verbal abuse, threats, and even physical assaults as disturbingly common occurrences, The Guardian reported.

The study’s findings come on the heels of two horrifying incidents involving women runners in the past month: in early February, a 51-year-old Australian woman, Samantha Murphy, disappeared and police have since announced that they suspect foul play; last week, a University of Georgia nursing student, Laken Hope Riley, was found murdered after she didn’t return from a run on campus.

Woman found dead after going for a run on the University of Georgia campus

Verbal abuse and threats: a disturbing norm

The study, which surveyed 500 runners in northwest England, highlights verbal abuse as the most frequent form of harassment, with 58 per cent of female participants reporting such incidents. Additionally, 19 per cent of women stated they had been followed while running, while seven per cent had encountered indecent exposure.

The research delves into the deeply troubling experiences shared by female runners, portraying a grim picture of daily threats and intimidation. Thirteen respondents revealed they had faced physical assault, and seven women reported incidents of sexual assault during their runs.

One runner interviewed by The Guardian recounted her distressing encounter with 10-year-old boys on bikes threatening sexual assault, leading her to abandon running outdoors. The study exposes not only the frequency of such incidents but also the normalization of the experience, with victims often choosing not to report, due to a belief that it is an “everyday occurrence.”

Fear and underreporting

Researchers Dr. Caroline Miles and Professor Rose Broad, both runners themselves, expressed how the normalcy of harassment shocked respondents—they were forced to accept it as part of their routine. The study also found that women harboured concerns about serious crimes such as rape or murder while running, revealing the profound impact on their sense of safety.

Despite the alarming rates of harassment, a mere five per cent of cases were reported to police. Reasons for underreporting ranged from the normalization of such incidents to low confidence in the police’s ability to address the issue seriously.

Miles and Broad said they hoped their research would encourage more women to report incidents, even if they felt they were minor or worried they would not be taken seriously.

A call for action and cultural change

In response to these distressing findings, the researchers emphasize the need for a broader conversation around harassment and abuse. They hope that police forces can develop effective strategies to support women facing abuse while exercising. Additionally, the study’s authors stress the importance of addressing the underlying sexist and misogynistic attitudes that contribute to such behavior.

Moving forward, the researchers advocate for educational efforts targeting boys and men to instigate a cultural shift. “The key thing that we would like to happen is for work to be done with boys and men that address the underpinning kind of sexist and misogynist attitudes that underpin this kind of behaviour,” said Miles.