How Is Sexual Harassment of Women on the Rise in the UK?
Only 5% of harassment incidents were reported to the police.
A significant majority of women—more than two-thirds—encounter harassment while running in the UK, according to a recent study by the University of Manchester.
The research, conducted in north-west England, reveals that women frequently face threats, verbal abuse, and even have objects hurled at them while jogging.
For many, such incidents have become so commonplace that they no longer bother reporting them to the police.
Physical Assaults
One runner, Lucy, 39, shared her experience with the Guardian, recounting how she gave up running after a disturbing encounter with a group of 10-year-old boys who followed her on bikes, threatening sexual assault.
"In 2010, I was heavily involved in netball, and I took up running to maintain my fitness," Lucy recalled. "One day, some 10-year-olds started following me, shouting, 'we’re gonna fuck you up the ass'—charming, right? What shocked me was that these children had learned this behaviour and thought it was totally OK to do this. It was daytime. At the time I thought I was OK but I stopped running shortly after … it made me feel pretty unsafe."
The study highlighted that verbal abuse was the most prevalent form of harassment, with 58% of female respondents reporting such incidents. Additionally, 19% of women said they had been followed while running, and 7% reported being flashed.
The research also revealed that 13 respondents had been physically assaulted during their runs, and seven women reported being sexually assaulted.
Dr. Caroline Miles and Professor Rose Broad, the academics behind the study, expressed little surprise at their findings, noting that the normalization of harassment among the women they surveyed was particularly striking.
Broad said that many respondents mentioned that they simply accept it, and they don't even register the harassment because it happens so frequently—it’s just part of their daily lives.
Both academics are runners themselves and have encountered harassment firsthand, as well as heard similar stories from friends and family.
The study also found that women frequently have fears of more serious crimes, such as rape or murder, while out running.
"Women are afraid of being raped, being murdered, being attacked. We know this does happen, not in high numbers … but women are afraid. That leads them to just undertake so many protective measures," Miles explained.
A striking revelation from the research was that only 5% of harassment incidents were reported to the police.
Miles elaborated that respondents offered various reasons for not reporting to the police, ranging from the normalization of harassment to a low level of confidence in the police’s ability to respond or take the matter seriously.
Looking ahead, Miles and Broad hope their research will encourage police forces to develop new strategies to support women facing harassment while exercising. They also advocate for a broader conversation on harassment and abuse, aiming to spark a cultural shift.
"The key thing that we would like to happen is for work to be done with boys and men that addresses the underpinning kind of sexist and misogynist attitudes that underpin this kind of behavior," said Miles.
Military Personnel
In the same vein, The Ministry of Defence has been reported to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) following allegations from female civil servants that it has inadequately addressed claims of sexual harassment and assault.
The union Prospect has formally requested that the EHRC investigate whether the MoD is failing in its public sector equalities duty, particularly in relation to issues of discrimination, harassment, and victimization.
This call for an inquiry follows a joint letter sent by around 60 senior women within the MoD to its permanent secretary, David Williams.
The letter detailed instances of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse by male colleagues. Subsequently, a civil servant came forward to Prospect, reporting three separate incidents of sexual assault by male colleagues.
In its communication to the EHRC, Prospect expressed growing concerns that the MoD has not fulfilled its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
The union's letter emphasized, "We are increasingly concerned that the MoD has failed to comply with its obligations under the PSED [public sector equality duty], in particular the requirement to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010."
Prospect urged the EHRC to urgently investigate the MoD’s compliance with both the general and specific duties outlined under the PSED, given its role in enforcing these standards.
Mike Clancy, the general secretary of Prospect, expressed deep concern over the recent revelations of a pervasive culture of sexual harassment and the department’s failure to address these issues. Clancy suggested that the MoD is not meeting its obligations to protect its employees.
Prospect has been calling for a review of the MoD’s policies on bullying, harassment, and victimization since September 2022, but the union reports that the department's HR forum has yet to engage with them.
An EHRC spokesperson noted, “The EHRC receives complaints each week about allegations of unlawful activity contrary to the Equality Act 2010. We carefully consider each complaint and take action where appropriate.”
New Laws
The introduction of the new stalking offenses in 2012 may have prompted a sense of déjà vu among some, recalling the Protection from Harassment Act of 1997.
This earlier legislation, introduced by the Conservative government, sought to address stalking through the broader lens of harassment, criminalizing conduct that alarmed or distressed individuals.
However, a 2000 Home Office evaluation revealed that the law was rarely used for “classic” stalking cases and instead focused on lower-level harassment, often involving neighbors or former partners.
The push for more targeted legislation gained momentum with the efforts of Protection Against Stalking (PAS) and the National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO).
By 2011, dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system’s handling of stalking cases was evident.
A PAS survey revealed widespread frustration among victims, while a NAPO study indicated that courts were missing significant evidence of stalking.
In response, an Independent Parliamentary Inquiry convened, resulting in a 2012 report that recommended the creation of specific stalking offenses. The report highlighted that the 1997 Act’s failure to explicitly name “stalking” had allowed serious, sinister behavior to be conflated with minor nuisances.
The government responded swiftly. In March 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron announced a new offense that was formally added to the 1997 Act, coming into force on November 25, 2012.
The legislation includes offenses such as stalking and involving fear of violence, with a list of behaviors associated with stalking provided for guidance.
Yet, as the 12th anniversary of the law’s implementation approaches, questions linger.
Campaigners, including the newly formed Paladin stalking advocacy service, argue that more training for police and prosecutors is needed.
While the government asserts that it has taken steps to improve awareness and response, critics point to low arrest rates as evidence that the system is still falling short.
As the debate in Parliament looms, the focus will be on whether the law has truly brought about the intended protections—or if further action is required.
