Founder and member of Run Like a Girl discuss impact of unsolicited interactions
Female runners on the Isle of Man have been telling Manx Radio about their experiences of catcalling and harassment.
It's after a study by the University of Manchester showed that more than two-thirds of women in north-west England had dealt with such incidents whilst out exercising - as well as threats, verbal abuse and having objects thrown at them.
Recently, female undercover officers at Surrey Police posed as joggers to catch men harassing women while out exercising. It resulted in 18 arrests for harassment, sexual assault and theft.
"It is scary. The likelihood of it happening is quite slim over here, but that's not to say it doesn't happen." - Emily Knop
On the Isle of Man earlier this year, 21-year-old Emily Knop set up a female-only running club called 'Run Like a Girl', in part to allow its members to feel safer, as part of a group, when out pounding the pavements.
She says she's experienced harassment first hand - on the Island and more so in Manchester, where she attended university.
Alarmingly, Emily also says she experienced more frequent catcalling whilst out running as a young teenager.
A study by Ballakermeen student Lucie Hepworth in 2024 found that more than 60 percent of girls under the age of 17 surveyed had experiences of being catcalled.
"Being a girl in your early twenties is quite isolating when you don't have those clubs to go to, then Run Like a Girl popped up!" - Chloe Venus, Club Member
Emily and her fellow club-member Chloe Venus have been speaking to Manx Radio about their experiences of catcalling, why the Run Like a Girl club provides safety in numbers and comfort against harassment, and why the onus should be on men to change this pattern of behaviour:
Manx Radio has invited the Isle of Man Constabulary to comment on the subject of catcalling and harassment.
You can listen to the full interview with Emily and Chloe via the Manx Radio Newscast below:
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