Warwickshire running club says 98% of women feel unsafe alone

A staggering 98% of women, from a running group in Warwickshire, say they feel unsafe when exercising alone, as violence against women and girls continues to rise.

Women, from Run Like A Girl in Leamington Spa, say they fear being harassed and abused when running on their own. This comes as today marks four years since Sarah Everard was kidnapped and murdered after she was walking alone.

We've been talking to Joanne Lally, a group leader from Run Like A Girl, on how feeling unsafe can impact women on a daily basis.

Joanne said: "When you're running, you often want to let your mind be free, relax, and escape the daily grind. So of course, when you're feeling unsafe, you start to lose that freedom because you're constantly looking over your shoulder, worried about what's going on, or taking your headphones out.

"So, some of the joy of running is removed because you feel unsafe."

Joanne is advocating for change and she's been telling us ways in which women could feel safer.

Joanne said: "It's really important that women don't accept the fear and we start to change the narrative; that it's our responsibility to make ourselves safe.

"I feel very passionate, and very angry, about the fact that the statistics still say that 92% of women have a fear of being harassed or at worst assaulted. This is not OK we have to change this."

Joanne continued: "I think councils need to make sure streets are safer, we need more community wardens that are patrolling the streets and we need better lighting in parks.

"Those things are important but one this is critical, we need male ally ship. If you're a runner, be that guy who calls out bad behaviour or harassment when you see it and don't walk past it. Don't ignore it because that's effectively endorsing it.

"Women would love to be able to just go out, lace up like a guy without any hesitation and without thinking: Does someone know where I am? Where am I going to go? Will it be safe? Am I wearing the right gear?

"This is not OK, it's 2025 and we need to change this."

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