Yesterday Sport England’s #ThisGirlCan movement released new figures revealing a 26% increase in women changing their exercise routines at night out of safety concerns since 2023.
To coincide with the clocks turning back, the data revealed that nearly three-quarters (72%) of UK women surveyed change their outdoor activity routines during winter. Last year, less than half of women changed their habits (46%).
#ThisGirlCan director of marketing Kate Dale has claimed there is ‘an epidemic’ of violence against women and girls and said that research shows safety fears have worsened over the past year.
The data also revealed that nearly one in four women (23%) avoid certain areas altogether when exercising at night and 20% regularly glance behind them to ensure they aren’t being followed.
In London, the conversation is being brought the forefront.
Whilst the figures reflect a nation-wide issue, Kate Dale emphasized to City News the unique challenges women in London face:
‘In London it’s very much that case that it can be one road which feels fine, then you take a turning or turn left, and suddenly it feels very different.’
Kate Dale
However, despite concerns in the capital, London had the lowest rate of recorded reports of sexual assault in the country, according to 2023 ONS data. Referring to her own experience, Dale believes London’s lower figures are due to historic under-reporting.
‘A few years ago I was out running and got slapped on the bum by a really young man which somehow made it worse. It was an intimidation thing and it didn’t occur to me at the time that that was sexual assault. I would have felt utterly ridiculous reporting that to the police but as women we owe it to each other and to ourselves.’
One anonymous female runner described a similar fear. She outlined that she was stalked and followed home on a run by a man who she reported to the police. She stated that the police did not follow up her complaint until she insisted on speaking to a female police officer, after which the man received a restraining order.
But as the data showed an increase in concerns, Dale acknowledged that there has also been an increase in those speaking up publicly about them.
‘As a society, we are talking about it so much more, which means that we might all be more fearful. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s more examples of it, but it means that we are starting to recognize that we should be reporting it and calling it out.’
She believes that the growth in people speaking up is likely behind the rising figures, suggesting the situation has not worsened in terms of actual accounts of sexual assault or harassment, but that conversations about it have brought it to the forefront.
The growing trend of run clubs could offer Londoners a vital space.
Whilst the new figures suggest growing concerns and conversations , many female Londoners have to turned to run clubs for security. These have gained huge popularity in the capital, with some now being set up specifically to address female safety at night and many listed as “female-only”.
One such initiative is Boldli, a new south-east based run club launched by GB Olympian Rose Harvey this week. Harvey created it aiming to create a place for women to ‘run safely and confidently together’.
‘Running is such a big part of our lives. Recently we’re hearing about more and more people who aren’t going out because they don’t feel safe. Boldli was set up to address this.’
Rose Harvey
As nights grow longer, #ThisGirlCan and run clubs like Boldli remain committed to empowering women to reclaim their right to exercise without fear.
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HeadlineData reveals stark increase in female safety fears, what’s the London solution?
Short Headline26% spike in UK female safety fears
StandfirstSafety concerns have grown by as much as 26% over the past year for women across the UK. In London, run clubs and rising awareness pose a solution.
Yesterday Sport England’s #ThisGirlCan movement released new figures revealing a 26% increase in women changing their exercise routines at night out of safety concerns since 2023.
To coincide with the clocks turning back, the data revealed that nearly three-quarters (72%) of UK women surveyed change their outdoor activity routines during winter. Last year, less than half of women changed their habits (46%).
#ThisGirlCan director of marketing Kate Dale has claimed there is ‘an epidemic’ of violence against women and girls and said that research shows safety fears have worsened over the past year.
The data also revealed that nearly one in four women (23%) avoid certain areas altogether when exercising at night and 20% regularly glance behind them to ensure they aren’t being followed.
In London, the conversation is being brought the forefront.
Whilst the figures reflect a nation-wide issue, Kate Dale emphasized to City News the unique challenges women in London face:
‘In London it’s very much that case that it can be one road which feels fine, then you take a turning or turn left, and suddenly it feels very different.’
Kate Dale
However, despite concerns in the capital, London had the lowest rate of recorded reports of sexual assault in the country, according to 2023 ONS data. Referring to her own experience, Dale believes London’s lower figures are due to historic under-reporting.
‘A few years ago I was out running and got slapped on the bum by a really young man which somehow made it worse. It was an intimidation thing and it didn’t occur to me at the time that that was sexual assault. I would have felt utterly ridiculous reporting that to the police but as women we owe it to each other and to ourselves.’
One anonymous female runner described a similar fear. She outlined that she was stalked and followed home on a run by a man who she reported to the police. She stated that the police did not follow up her complaint until she insisted on speaking to a female police officer, after which the man received a restraining order.
But as the data showed an increase in concerns, Dale acknowledged that there has also been an increase in those speaking up publicly about them.
‘As a society, we are talking about it so much more, which means that we might all be more fearful. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s more examples of it, but it means that we are starting to recognize that we should be reporting it and calling it out.’
She believes that the growth in people speaking up is likely behind the rising figures, suggesting the situation has not worsened in terms of actual accounts of sexual assault or harassment, but that conversations about it have brought it to the forefront.
The growing trend of run clubs could offer Londoners a vital space.
Whilst the new figures suggest growing concerns and conversations , many female Londoners have to turned to run clubs for security. These have gained huge popularity in the capital, with some now being set up specifically to address female safety at night and many listed as “female-only”.
One such initiative is Boldli, a new south-east based run club launched by GB Olympian Rose Harvey this week. Harvey created it aiming to create a place for women to ‘run safely and confidently together’.
‘Running is such a big part of our lives. Recently we’re hearing about more and more people who aren’t going out because they don’t feel safe. Boldli was set up to address this.’
Rose Harvey
As nights grow longer, #ThisGirlCan and run clubs like Boldli remain committed to empowering women to reclaim their right to exercise without fear.
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