Two-thirds of women say they have experienced some form of abusive behaviour when running
MORE than 75 runners took to Cardiff’s streets to show men how they can help women feel safer running in the darker months.
“I definitely have been running much less in the winter when it’s darker because I don’t feel safe,” said Olivia Browne, who took part in the Sound Run, involving members of 10 mixed-gender running clubs.
“In my experience of running or walking alone, I often worry about being followed.
“There was discussion within a running chat I’m a part of recently where women were warning each other about an incident that had occurred just before Christmas involving a man trying to grab someone.
“I’ve got many friends who wouldn’t run at all during the winter because of that safety concern,” she said.
Runner Betsy Garnett, 20, said: “If I’m running by myself, I’ll try and stick to well-lit routes and, when this isn’t possible, I have a torch. I also let someone know what time I should be back and take my AirPods out.
“My mum definitely worries about me more when I’m running in the winter.”
According to a Manchester University study, 68% of women have experienced some form of abusive behaviour when running.
A Welsh Government survey found that 10% of Welsh men did not know what public sexual harassment means, or have never heard of it, and nearly one in three did not believe catcalling to be harmful.
The Sound Run gave an opportunity for male runners to listen to women about their experiences with public sexual harassment and understand that catcalling and other behaviour can feel threatening.
Liam Jones, 28, owner of Overseas Apparel Run Club said: “Public harassment is a problem, and we want to be there to support and be a part of the conversation if we can.
“As a community and as individuals we need to learn more about these issues and challenge problematic behaviour when we see it.
“We aim to make our running club as inclusive as possible so we remain in a group and keep pace with the slowest person.”
Ms Browne said: “It’s really healthy for men to have these conversations. Even if they don’t feel like they are part of the problem, they are part of the solution.”
The clubs involved in the run, which started outside the Royal Arcade on February 11, were Overseas Apparel, Albany Road Runners, Hardlines Coffee, She Runs Cardiff, Running Punks, Nervous in Crowds Cardiff, Sunday Run Club, Run Grangetown, Cardiff Met Running Society, and Les Croupiers.
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Sound Cymru organised the run as part of its wider mission in educating young men about healthy relationships and public sexual harassment.
They have launched a new six-week campaign around public sexual harassment.
The Sound Run kicked off this campaign which will continue to look for a solutions-focused approach to ending the public sexual harassment of women in Wales.
The scheme was launched in 2023, as a Welsh Government-backed project using online and social media to target 18–34-year-old men.
There are three aspects of the Sound Project: Sound It Out, by having conversations with male peers in safe spaces; Sound Advice, giving healthy relationship advice from trusted sources; Sound As, encouraging others to open up to challenge damaging behaviours.
The campaign involves perpetrators and survivors of abuse to inform their content and events.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “Every woman should feel safe to run, walk, or simply exist in public spaces without fear of harassment.
“It’s not up to women to change their behaviour or limit their lives – it’s up to men to reflect on and address their own behaviours.
“When men step up as allies, listen to women’s experiences, and actively challenge problematic behaviour among their peers, we create real change in our communities.”
According to Crimestoppers, public sexual harassment includes:
- Verbal harassment- jokes, innuendos or sexual references
- Physical harassment- unwanted touching or flashing
- Non-verbal harassment- staring or making gestures
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