Active bystander training run by Police Community Support Officers empowers people to safely and successfully intervene.
A campaign to tackle head on the harassment of female runners in Bradford is receiving positive reviews. The JogOn initiative was launched in March by Safer Bradford – a partnership that includes Bradford Council and local police, fire and rescue, and NHS and services.
Image courtesy of City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Training has been offered to members of running clubs to help them respond should they witness harassment – whether at the time of the incident itself or afterwards. The initiative also aims to challenge harmful attitudes, language or behaviour that supports violence, supporting the national strategy for tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The wider JogOn campaign comprises a series of police enforcement and awareness-raising activities that aim to clamp down on high levels of harassment being experienced by female runners. Runners of all genders are encouraged to report instances of harassment and abuse, whether they are the victim or a witness.
The law is already clear. The whole of Bradford District is covered by a public space protection order (PSPO) that explicitly prohibits, ‘Shouting or swearing at, or abusing, threatening or otherwise intimidating (including by the use of sexual language or making sexual suggestions) to another person.’
Active bystander training identifies discrete steps the participant can follow to get actively involved in responding. First, they need be conscious of the problem in the first place: noticing an event taking place and seeing it as a problem. Then they must feel responsible and motivated to act. To do so, they need the necessary skills to intervene safely and effectively.
A training session held last week resulted in very positive responses. ‘Really good,’ said one participant, who felt the training was ‘interactive and makes you more confident in reacting to situations.’ They. ‘would encourage others to attend, especially if it’s something that they wouldn’t normally feel comfortable doing.’
‘An extremely eye-opening and informative session,’ said another participant. ‘It made me think a lot about things I’ve experienced in the past and my past actions. Also, how I would react in situations in the future. Please do this more often and at other locations. I hope many people get to take part in this training.’
Those in the Bradford area can book a place on the next active bystander training session, to be held from 6 to 8 pm on July 16 at Javelin House Police Station.
Michael Churley, Community Safety Co-ordinator at Bradford Council, says: ‘JogOn is spreading the word that any form of harassment of female runners and joggers will not be tolerated. This training aims to empower people to intervene if they witness this kind of behaviour. We want everyone to feel safe when they are out and about.’
Superintendent Beth Pagnillo of Bradford District Police adds: ‘We are really pleased that the most recent active bystander training received such positive feedback and that it is supporting those locally with the skills needed to safely intervene. We are hoping that others who are interested are encouraged to attend the next session, to learn more about JogOn but also the wider focus of improving the safety of women and girls across Bradford.’
Images: Gabin Vallet and City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
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