In 2017, 4 sexual assaults were reported by female runners. The assaults took place within 5 months at popular running trails and tracks in Austin TX. At 5 a.m. on August 22, 2017 a woman was attacked while jogging on the Austin High School track located at 1715 Cesar Chavez St (Jechow 2017). On September 15, 2017 a woman was attacked while running on a trail near Rainy Street at 5:45 a.m (Kravets 2017). On September 27, 2017 at 6:40 a.m., a woman was attacked while running near Lakeshore Drive (Jechow et. al., 2017). In this case the woman was able to fight off her attacker and escape. Lastly, on the early morning of December 31, 2017 a UT - Austin Student was attacked on campus while running at Clark Field (Huber 2017).
These incidents have left their mark on many female runners, making them think twice before going out for a run. Their safety is at risk, what is being done vs. what can be done against the sexual assault/harassment of female runners in Austin TX?
The Barrier of Inequality
Running is empowering, it allows you to explore and gives you a sense of independence. Unfortunately, the world we live in does not always allow for safety to co-exist with those words if you are a woman. Research has shown that running not only promotes physical health, but mental health as well. In Texas, 3.68% of adults suffer from serious mental health conditions. Of those adults only 38.3% receive treatment (RtoR 2018). Running is empowering and can be therapeutic by serving as a coping mechanism for all genders. It can help to increase self-efficacy, self-worth and contributes to the identity of an individual. More specifically, researchers have found that physically fit women who are able to develop self-worth and understand their capabilities are far more likely to implement positive changes in their daily lives (Leedy 2009). Although this information sounds compelling, there is one issue. The safety of female runners is at risk each time a sister, daughter, mother etc. decides to go out for a run. The fear of sexual assault and sexual harassment are constantly on the minds of runners like myself. These fears bring to light a major issue, and that is equality. Due to negative experiences, women are limited to their use of public spaces, this establishes a gender-based barrier to equality. These experiences range from catcalling, whistling, gender hostile remarks, staring, sexual assault and ultimately leave these women to feel like public targets. Women were more likely to compromise their capacity of full engagement within the public sphere compared to men. Through fear, men control women through sexual harassment and use their position to enjoy the public sphere. (Bastomski 2017). Although precautions are useful and sometimes effective, equality as stated before is the underlying issue.
How Austin Stacks Up
In 2016 there was an incidence of 603 reported sexual assaults within Travis County. Specifically, in 2016 the Austin Police Department (APD) reported a total of 747 rape offenses with a rate of 78 per 100,000 residents (Manley 2017).Compared to other crimes, rape ranks as the second lowest crime reported in Austin, following murder.(Fig 1)
Including all reported crimes, Austin has a rate of 3,917 offenses per 100,000, 18% lower than the average for all large US cities (Manely 2017). (Fig. 2)
Though these rates seem low, many may argue that 1 reported assault is one too many.
Insight from local runners
A total of 10 interviews were conducted over email to both UT- students and local female runners using an open ended questionnaire.
Questions:
- In Austin: do you run at trails, tracks or city sidewalks (around town)? (fill in as many that apply)
- On a scale of 1–10 (10 being the safest) how safe do you feel running at each of these locations? Please rank each location if more than one.
- Do you listen to music with headphones/earbuds while you run?
- In Austin: Have you ever experienced sexual harassment while running?
- In Austin: Have you ever been sexually assaulted on your run?
Findings:
Running locations included downtown areas towards the Capital and South Congress, 15th and Lavaca, Hyde Park, Intramural Fields at UT- Austin, Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, Crossing Place (street in East Austin), Clark Field, and Akins Football Field in South Austin. One runner however, chose to not go running outside at all due to the fear of being assaulted and chose to run on a treadmill instead. Safety rankings varied for each location. Downtown areas averaged at 5.3, North Campus at 5, Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail at 6.5 and Fields at 8.1. All runners admitted to using headphones/earbuds while running. Although one runner did mention:
“ Yes, normally at a low level when there are less people around and at a higher level when I feel safer and more comfortable to use headphones. ”
All but one of the runners had experienced some sort of sexual harassment.
Here are some of their responses:
“Yes, I have been catcalled by male construction workers while on my run.” — Jasmine Poyatos
“ I have been honked at, catcalled and once followed.” — Samantha Saldana
“Yes, I have been followed multiple times, catcalled, honked at and whistled at.” — Anonymous
None of the runners had been sexually assaulted while on their run.
Sexual Harassment
Last Saturday morning a friend and I participated in the “Austin Moonlight Run” and along the way we were victims of sexual harassment by construction workers on duty at the intersection of West 18th street and Guadalupe. A group of men huddled together forcing themselves against the fence gawking at us, followed by whistling and catcalling. Furious and unsure of what to do I stopped mid run and took a picture of them, and as I did they quickly turned away in embarrassment. My friend and I continued our run and along the way my mind continued to race with disgust and frustration. I just could not seem to “blow it off” like we are often told to do or like I have in the past.
I decided to call Austin 3–1–1, and to my surprise you could file a report. The operator took my information and said she would transfer my information to a police officer and that they would get back to me within eight hours. Five minutes later I receive a call from APD following up with the report I had just made. After explaining what had happened, the officer informed me that a detective would be put on the case and to call the police as soon as it happens next time to identify the men. This came as a shock to myself and everyone I have told since then. This experience was in no way intentional, but it allowed me to have a better understanding what could be done first hand.
Austin Police Department
“Run with a Cop”
On September 28, 2017 a day after the third attack, APD held a run/walk event to promote safety awareness. APD invited all runners/walkers to the hike and bike trail to run/walk starting at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Part of “Run with a Cop” goal was to educate and provide outdoor running/walking safety tips (AustinTexas.Gov. 2017).
It was encouraging to see officers take this initiative to address public safety. Public Safety is what allows us to be independent. It gives us the ultimate resource to be active, and partake in a healthy lifestyle.
“ Lesser walk-ability and more crime are associated with respondents reporting weight-related chronic illness and lower ratings of their own health.” — Journal of American Planning Association
The safety of female runners and public safety in general play a vital role in public health. Public Health focuses on preventive measures geared towards populations. Instilling active environments in our communities contributes to greater physical activity. This has the power to lower obesity and the incidence of related chronic illnesses, essentially contributing to the health of the overall population (Doyle et. al., 2006).
While running at the Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, I was able to have a conversation about the safety of female runners in Austin with a couple of officers on duty. After explaining my research question they had a couple of their own.
“ What have you found so far?”
“What suggestions do you have for us?”
Advocating for an increase of well-lit areas, officer patrolling at other popular running sites, and monthly “Runs with a Cop” these officers were very receptive. Some of their own suggestions included:
- No running with earbuds
- Run with a partner
- Run in well-lit areas
Recently
APD has processed an assessed the safety of Austin’s running trails and has provided the Parks and Recreation with a list of what needs to be improved (McGivern 2018).
Moving Forward
As shown above, APD has constructed a list of recommendations to improve public safety in Austin. APD also continues to patrol the hike and bike trail starting as early as 4 a.m. on both bike and foot. Staying consistent with these measures is the first step in moving forward. The second should be continued awareness. “Run with a Cop” was a great initiative, and has continued to be implemented over the months. The last run was on January 12, 2018. However, there are not consistent dates and times for these events. In order to continue spreading awareness of public safety, APD should have at least a set monthly date and time for these runs to be more effective. It is important to note that change and improvement will take time but it is enlightening to see that the city of Austin is taking the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of its people.
Public safety is essential to live a harmonious life among others. Though it is impractical to assume safety at all times it is important to continue fighting for it. Female’s in general are affected by crime more than males due to the fear of crime itself. This has been proven to lead to loss of health with significantly higher BMI’s, and incidence of obesity related chronic diseases (Doyle et. al., 2006). Although as women we should caution ourselves, it is essential that we do not give in to the fear that has controlled us and limited us for so long. Let the fear be channeled into strength by joining a running group, taking a self defense class, all while building healthy relationships and practicing safety. Running is empowering and no one should be able to take that away.
References
APD. (2018). Run with APD SWAT. Nextdoor. Retrieved at https://nextdoor.com/agency-post/tx/austin/austin-police/run-with-apd-swat-74269030/
AustinTexas.Gov. (2017). Austin Police Department: Run/Walk with Austin Police Department Cops. Retrieved from http://www.austintexas.gov/news/runwalk-austin-police-department-cops
Bastomski, S., & Smith, P. (2017). Gender, fear, and public places: How negative encounters with strangers harm women. Sex Roles, 76(1), 73–88. 10.1007/s11199–016–0654–6
Doyle, S., Kelly-Schwartz, A., Schlossberg, M., & Stockard, J. (2006). Active community environments and health: The relationship of walkable and safe communities to individual health. Journal of the American Planning Association, 72(1), 19–31. 10.1080/01944360608976721
Huber, M. (2017). UT student sexually assaulted on campus Sunday, police say. KXAN. Retrieved at http://www.statesman.com/news/local/student-sexually-assaulted-campus-sunday-police-say/5WtER4ZzawufKzUFkRDMMN/
Jancey, J., Meuleners, L., & Phillips, M. (2011). Health professionals’ perceptions of sexual assault management: A delphi study. Health Education Journal, 70(3), 249–259. 10.1177/0017896911406970
Jechow, A. (2017). Woman attacked while jogging on Austin High School track. KXAN. Retrieved at http://kxan.com/2017/09/05/woman-attacked-while-jogging-on-austin-high-school-track/
Jechow, A., Glas B. (2017). Woman fights off attacker on Lady Bird Lake trail. KXAN. Retrieved at http://kxan.com/2017/09/27/woman-fights-off-attacker-on-lady-bird-lake-trail/
Kravets, L. (2017). Jogger attacked on trail near Rainey Street. KXAN. Retrieved at http://kxan.com/2017/09/18/jogger-attacked-on-trail-near-rainey-street/
Leedy, G. (2009). “I can’t cry and run at the same time” women’s use of distance running. Affilia-Journal of Women and Social Work, 24(1), 80–93. 10.1177/0886109908326999
Manley, B. (2017). Annual Crime and Traffic Report: 2016 Final Report. Austin Police Department. Research and Planning Unit.
McGivern, K. (2018). Months after attacks, safety assessment of hike and bike trail complete. KXAN. Retrieved from http://kxan.com/2018/02/09/months-after-attacks-safety-assessment-of-hike-and-bike-trail-complete/
RtoR. (2018). Mental Health Resources in Texas. Resources to Recovery gateway to mental health services. Retrieved from https://www.rtor.org/mental-health-texas/
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White, J., & Sienkiewicz, H. (2017) Victim Empowerment, Safety, and Perpetrator Accountability Through Collaboration: A crisis to Transformation Conceptual Model. Violence Against Women, 00(0), 1–19.
