UK Active, Sport England, CIMSPA and Women’s Aid have published new resources to help fitness and leisure facilities continue to create safer spaces for women and girls to be active.

An All Party Parliamentary Group report found that sexual harassment is prevalent across society, with 71 per cent of women of all ages having experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space.

The fitness sector is not immune: a survey commissioned by UK Active and Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign in 2023 found that 42 per cent of women said they had experienced at least one form of sexual harassment or intimidation while in a gym or leisure facility. This included inappropriate comments, staring, or encroachment of personal space.

For 16 to 24-year-olds this figure rose to 83 per cent. Among all female gym users, 5 per cent reported feeling ‘unsafe’ in relation to sexual harassment and intimidation at their fitness or leisure centre.

Claire Edwards, This Girl Can’s head of campaign activation, says: “Our research continues to show that more can be done to protect women in all active spaces. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected when exercising. Harassment, whether in gyms, leisure centres, or elsewhere, is unacceptable.

“Sexual harassment is a crime, but it is sadly a daily experience for many women. These new resources enable us to empower gyms, leisure centres and other facilities with the knowledge and tools they need to identify harassment and respond decisively, creating safer spaces for all women to be active.”

The new resources are now available for free on the Safer Spaces to Move hub. They have been developed by the project partners in consultation with experts and representatives from across the physical activity sector.

Resources include an operator handbook, which contains for policy and guidance recommendations. The staff training modules are designed to help staff recognise sexual harassment and intimidation and empower them to respond.

Hattie Jones, UK Active’s head of membership and sector development says the partners are committed to making sure that all women and girls feel confident and welcome at gyms and leisure centres.

“It is vital that all industries take responsibility in helping to tackle sexual harassment,” she says. “The launch of these resources will support more gyms and leisure centres to create safer spaces so more women and girls can confidently reap the rewards of being active.

“We want to continue this journey of improvement and ensure all operators and their workforces feel empowered and supported to respond appropriately to any instances of sexual harassment and intimidation.”

ENDNOTE

Charity, Crimestoppers, has launched a campaign to draw urgent attention to a distressing trend: the increased levels of violence against women and girls during and after major sporting events. While a source of national pride, these events can also act as triggers for harmful behaviours in some individuals, putting women and girls at greater risk, as a result of alcohol-fuelled celebrations or disappointments.

Recent statistics and reports from frontline services have shown that incidents of domestic abuse and gender-based violence spike around the time of significant sporting occasions. During the 2024 UEFA European Championships, police in England and Wales recorded 351 football-related domestic abuse incidents. On days when England won, there was a 47 per cent rise in alcohol-related domestic abuse.

The campaign encourages the public to recognise the signs of violence and use Crimestoppers anonymous reporting service to speak up safely if they are concerned about someone’s wellbeing. Crimestoppers is also working with sporting bodies, law enforcement agencies and support charities to spread awareness, challenge harmful attitudes, and promote prevention strategies at every level.