Two University of Manchester researchers have developed a six-point plan aimed at safeguarding women runners from abuse, based on their recent study analysing police data and surveying runners. Dr Caroline Miles and Professor Rosemary Broad published their findings and recommendations on the Policy@Manchester platform, revealing both the prevalence and nature of abuse encountered by women while running.
Drawing from data provided by Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police, the researchers reported 81 incidents of abuse towards women runners between January 2021 and December 2022. The offences included sexual offences, harassment, and physical assaults, highlighting the range of safety challenges faced by women in public spaces.
Their research extended to an online survey of 498 women runners, of whom more than two-thirds (68%) reported experiencing abuse while running. Disturbingly, only 5% of these women reported the incidents to the police. The survey found that 91% of reported abuse was verbal, but women also reported being followed (29%), flashed at (10%), and facing “other” forms of abuse, including incidents involving men in vehicles (20%). Four per cent of respondents reported being physically assaulted, and 2% said they had been sexually assaulted during runs.
Miles and Broad’s findings indicate a reluctance among women to report such incidents to authorities. Respondents gave several reasons, primarily the normalisation of abuse against women in public, low confidence in police response, and a perception that many incidents were not criminal. These insights informed the researchers’ six-point action plan for policymakers and police, addressing the broader issues surrounding women’s safety in public spaces.
Their first recommendation is to simplify the reporting process, suggesting an alternative reporting method, such as an app, which could allow women to report incidents more easily without directly engaging the police.
Secondly, the academics urge police forces to improve engagement with women runners and encourage them to report abuse. Improved communication around case outcomes, they believe, could help build confidence in the police.
Miles and Broad argue that enhanced reporting and trust would lead to better data on the frequency and nature of incidents, enabling police to detect patterns of abuse. They cite a Greater Manchester Police operation as an example of how accurate data led to the conviction of a serial offender.
Another key recommendation is to roll out public awareness initiatives, like Greater Manchester’s ‘Is This Okay’ campaign, which challenges harmful attitudes among men and boys. The researchers note that shifting cultural perceptions and encouraging bystander intervention are essential to combating abuse.
The fifth recommendation emphasises ensuring safe access to outdoor spaces. The study found that women runners often experience abuse in secluded green spaces, including parks and paths near waterways. The researchers believe that making these areas safer could alleviate some of the risks.
Finally, they call for women runners to be recognised as a distinct group within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) policy agenda. The report highlights that women often run at quieter times, in isolated areas, and may be carrying fewer belongings, making them more vulnerable.
The full report, ‘The abuse of women runners: Implications for the violence against women and girls’ policy agenda,’ is available on the Policy@Manchester website, detailing these insights and urging action to better protect women runners across the UK.