South Wales Police and Commissioner funds ‘Jog On’ campaign to tackle street harassment and encourage reporting

The Commissioner is committed to protecting vulnerable people and communities, ensuring they feel safe, supported and confident to report concerns.

That commitment has been reinforced through investment in the ‘Jog On’ campaign, which aims to tackle the harassment experienced by female runners and joggers and encourage more people to report incidents.

The campaign follows a survey conducted by South Wales Police, which found that more than two-thirds of female runners in South Wales had experienced some form of street harassment while exercising. Many said these experiences affected how safe they felt, with some changing their running routes, altering what they wore, or choosing not to run alone.

In response, the ‘Jog On’ campaign is delivering a clear message that harassment in any form is unacceptable and will be taken seriously when reported.

Alongside raising awareness, the campaign is supported by South Wales Police’s ongoing work with local communities, including engagement at parkruns, running clubs and initiatives that promote women’s safety in sport. Officers will encourage the reporting of incidents, listen to the experiences of runners and support people to become active bystanders when they witness inappropriate behaviour.

By working together, the campaign aims to help ensure that everyone can enjoy running and exercising safely, confidently and free from harassment.

What is harassment in this context?

Unwanted behaviour that threatens or intimidates female runners and joggers in public. These are not just unwanted behaviours – they are often crimes. Behaviours can include:

• Leering or persistent staring – unwanted looking or watching in an intimidating or sexual way.
• Catcalling/Wolf whistling – unwanted sexual comments, gestures, and whistles often to intimidate the victim.

So what is the JogOn campaign?

JogOn is a campaign aimed at tackling the harassment faced by female runners and joggers through awareness raising to encourage reporting and prevent incidents, training to encourage active bystander behaviours, and police enforcement to take action against persistent perpetrators of harassment.

So why is JogOn needed in South Wales?

A South Wales Police survey has shown the impact of street-based harassment on women and girls while jogging or running. The results informed us that 68% (117) of female runners who responded to the survey have experienced street harassment or abusive behaviour while partaking in their hobby including cat calling, and physical or sexual assault.

So why should women JogOn?

Women change their routes and routines, abandon their hobby of running or jogging, no longer run alone, share locations with family and friends, wear different clothing, and even avoid listening to music to deter harassment and even physical and sexual assaults. Adhering to this list of actions just to stay active and feel safe in their own communities is an unacceptable way to live. The South Wales we are working towards is one where – regardless of the time of day, and month of the year – everyone is free to safely practice their hobbies without worry.

So why should we all JogOn?

Tackling harassment cannot be done in solitary. It takes us all to stand up to and change these harmful behaviours through education and awareness raising. Running clubs across South Wales thinking JogOn are just the beginning, but regardless of whether you are part of a club, or if you don’t run or jog often, you can think–JogOn.

Make a report

If you experience any form of harassment, please contact South Wales Police via:

• Online: Report online (external)
• Phone: 101

If you are in immediate danger, always call 999

If you do not wish to speak to police, you can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online (external) or by phone on 0800 555 111.

We know these crimes can affect anyone and everyone who makes a report will be taken seriously, but the overwhelming evidence is that women and girls are most likely to be targeted which is why we are tackling the issue in this way.