What to do if you’re harassed

It’s best to avoid physical confrontation, but offenders who engage in this type of sexual harassment thrive in an environment where victims are intimidated and hesitant about speaking up, so anything you can do to demonstrate strength can deter them.

Emily May recommends trusting your instincts. If you respond, one option is to reclaim your space by telling the harasser how you want their behaviour to change: ‘I need you to stop talking to me right now.’ You can also distract or delegate (See How to be an effective bystander, p34).

‘We know that if you do something to respond to harassment, either in the moment or afterward, that can reduce trauma – increased anxiety or hyper-vigilance in public – in the long haul,’ says May. But don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t react how you wish you had. Your response can be after the incident – talking about your experience, sharing it on social media, reporting the incident, or getting trained in bystander intervention. ‘If you do decide to take action, let it be for you, not the world or because you think you should,’ says May.

And, most importantly, ‘Remember you’re awesome,’ says May. ‘So you can build the resilience to run again tomorrow.’ You have the right to be who you are, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. Harassment is never your fault – no matter where you’re running or what you’re wearing or how you respond.