LIFESTYLE AUTHOR
Whitney Otstott
SAFETY IN THE OUTDOORS n Exercising outdoors as a woman can be daunting
when considering all the tragic news headlines, so here are some ways you can stay safe.
T
he beauty of Austin’s many parks certainly beckons us to take our exercise outside, soak up the warm weather and enjoy all our city has to offer. But before heading out for an outdoor jog, women must consider a few additional things: Will the area be lit? Will there be others around? Will it be safe to have AirPods in? Certainly, all people must take safety precautions, but according to statistics, women are disproportionately more likely to be harassed in some form while exercising outdoors. In a recent Runner’s World survey, a massive 84% of women said they have experienced some kind of harassment while running that left them feeling unsafe. That includes physical actions like groping or being followed or flashed, as well as subtler forms like catcalls,
JULY 2022
honks and lewd comments. While we cannot eliminate this threat, we can take certain precautions that will make us feel safer when we’re exercising at the park or other outdoor locations. Regardless of what happens, how it happens or where it happens, it’s never the victim’s fault. Everyone deserves to feel safe, and here are a few ideas on how you can protect yourself on your next outdoor run.
1
Well-Lit and Maintained Parks
If maintenance is needed at a park you frequent, such as overgrown trees, tall grass or insufficient lighting, contact the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. It’s within your rights as a local citizen to ask them to keep those trails safe and maintained; your voice matters.
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2
Have a Pack
As we all know, there’s safety in numbers and it’s a smart idea to run in a group. If you don’t currently have a run group, check out the Austin Runners Club. They have lots of groups around town, and the list is organized by how far they run and the area of Austin they’re in.
3
Use Your Voice
Know how to shut down a harasser. People who make lewd comments to women thrive on intimidation. Right To Be, an antiharassment movement, suggests that one option is to reclaim your space by telling the harasser how you want their behavior to change, like: “I need you to stop talking to me right now.”
