‘I’m Tired of This’: a campaign to stop sexual abuse of women exercising in public

In this week’s episode, the abuse team talk about the recently launched campaign -‘I’m Tired of This’, which demanded an end to sexual abuse and harassment of women and girls exercising in public spaces in the West Midlands.

A video called “I’m Tired of This” is being distributed throughout the area to illustrate the struggles faced by women who work out in public, whether they do so alone or in groups.

Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, hopes it will raise awareness of the variety of abusive acts that women report.

According to a YouGov study conducted in the area, 13% of female respondents and 4% of male respondents have personally encountered sexual assault or violence, particularly while exercising in public places.

A recent survey in Nottinghamshire highlighted some very alarming statistics, 25% of the 400 women surveyed stated that they had experienced an uncomfortable interaction with other gym users and had also been the recipient of inappropriate comments, and just as worryingly, a third said these behaviours had forced them to either leave that gym session or stop going altogether, also it was reported that 75% of these behaviours go unreported. A question we have to ask is why do so many women and girls not report these behaviours that clearly cause them harm and anxiety.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner provides a variety of support services to victims along with efforts to confront and alter behaviour and a proactive policing response to violence against women and girls.