Majority of women fear sexual harassment when exercising alone at night, poll finds

The majority of British women feel unsafe exercising outdoors alone after dark and worry about sexual harassment, new research shows.

With daylight saving time over and winter approaching, many say they will now be forced to start exercising earlier or share their location before heading out.

The survey, from Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, found that 55 per cent of women felt unsafe exercising outdoors alone after dark compared with 33 per cent of men.

Meanwhile, concerns for women’s safety have worsened in recent years, with 69 per cent concerned about sexual harassment and intimidation when exercising outdoors after dark compared with 60 per cent in 2023.

Of the 1,000 women surveyed, some 67 per cent believe that exercising outdoors has become less safe.

The poll also found that more than two-thirds agreed that an increase in online misogyny and anti-women attitudes has made women feel even less safe, with 52 per cent afraid of being followed after dark.

Some 34 per cent say they will now change their outdoor exercise routine or habits due to less daylight, while 24 per cent will avoid exercising alone, and 11 per cent will share their location before heading out.

Women are also over three times more likely than men to stop exercising outdoors entirely after dark, the research shows.

Kate Dale, the director of marketing at Sport England and This Girl Can, says: “Every year when the clocks go back, countless women find their worlds getting smaller, and many change or step away from exercise altogether because of fear. Women’s fears are growing, with more concern about harassment and intimidation than we saw three years ago; many women believe rising online misogyny is making them feel even less safe exercising after dark.”

“Police have warned violence against women and girls is reaching epidemic levels, so it's more important than ever that we understand women's experiences and address the rising safety concerns. We’re here to help more people understand the everyday reality many women face and raise awareness of what women need to feel safer.”

The recent findings follow previous research into women’s experience of harassment while exercising.

Adidas surveyed 4,500 women aged 16 to 34 from across the world and found that 30 per cent said they had experienced physical or verbal harassment while running.

Research from the University of Manchester found that 68 per cent of female runners surveyed had experienced some kind of abusive behaviour.

The latest survey also comes as the Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign, which aims to spread awareness about the issue, returns for the fourth year.

Former Olympian Jo Pavey said: “Women deserve the freedom to get out and be active all year round and to continue to enjoy the benefits it brings. That’s why the Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign by Sport England’s This Girl Can and England Athletics is so important. It’s great that it raises awareness of this issue and makes a call for action.”

“It’s encouraging that many women are clear about what would help them feel safer and these measures need to be addressed. Of course, women naturally take precautions. But safety shouldn’t solely be about women altering their routine.

“Creating safer public spaces and environments for people to feel safer when exercising at whatever time is so necessary. It’s also important to support communities that provide opportunities for people to exercise together.”