Say JogOn to female runner harassment

Safer Bradford is clamping down on the harassment and abuse of female runners by telling perpetrators to JogOn.

A national survey by Runner’s World magazine has found that 60 per cent of female runners experience some form of harassment, particularly from men in cars.

The Safer Bradford partnership (which includes Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police and the NHS) wants to stamp out the problem. It leaves many women feeling scared and intimidated, looking for alternative running routes or changing the times they go out to avoid cat calling, offensive comments and, occasionally, physical harassment.

The College of Policing has commissioned Manchester University to carry out further research into the problem. Bradford’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has visited park runs and running clubs in the district to get the local picture. Their findings show that harassment is a widespread concern across the district. Runners said they had come to accept it as the norm and did not report it to the police, as they did not feel it would be taken seriously or that no action would be taken.

However, the Police and Safer Bradford have launched #JogOn, an action plan and campaign to tackle runner harassment, to encourage victims and witnesses to report incidents and ensure that there are consequences for unacceptable behaviour.

The Police have carried out enforcement action sessions across the district by sending female officers out in plain clothes to run or jog in ‘hotspot’ areas. As well as police action, Bradford Council can enforce its Public Space Protection Order. This bans the anti-social use of vehicles and includes ‘Shouting, swearing at, or abusing, threatening or intimidating another person – including using sexual language or making sexual suggestions’ from a vehicle. Offenders can receive a Fixed Penalty Notice or a £1,000 fine.

Running club members are also being offered Active Bystander training, which will equip witnesses to intervene when an incident is unfolding in front of them.

Superintendent Beth Pagnillo, of Bradford District Police, said: “People might not think these behaviours are worth reporting but we want to make it clear that these behaviours and incidents can be reported, reviewed and investigated and will not be tolerated.

“With the PSPOs in Bradford, these behaviours can be reported, which could lead to a breach in PSPO, and an offence being committed.

“The enforcement, education and engagement undertaken through JogOn allows us to combine efforts through partnership working to tackle these behaviours, encouraging reporting by runners across the district but also to prevent incidents from happening in the first place.”

Cllr Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “No woman should feel unsafe and intimidated when they are out running. Harassment and abusive behaviour is totally unacceptable and we will take action on anyone acting in this way.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “The safety of women and girls sits right at the heart of our mission for a safer, fairer West Yorkshire.

“We should all be able to enjoy the benefits exercise can bring, without fear of harassment or abuse.

“Our message remains absolutely clear – these behaviours are unacceptable. The Jog On campaign is reaffirming our commitment to that message and is a fantastic example of the strength of partnership working to improve the safety of women and girls.”

Anyone who suspects a breach of the Public Space Protection Order can contact the council’s Safer Communities Team by emailing safer.communities@bradford.gov.uk

A video explaining the campaign is also available – https://youtu.be/JMSBJAxqwYU