Five years ago I was sexually assaulted while out running. The incident was shocking and traumatic for me - but sexual harassment and assault of runners (especially women running alone) is, sadly, a commonplace issue. Not only must we keep our guards up and adjust our workout schedule to protect ourselves, but we are often blamed if anything happens to us. It's our fault for wearing tight running clothes, or wearing headphones, or going out after dark. When I reported what happened to me to the police, I was asked what I had been wearing. Would a man be asked this? 

I hope for a world where victim-blaming is unacceptable and women can run when they want, where they want, wearing what they want without fear of having their safety compromised. Until then I will continue to do what I can to support survivors of sexual abuse. I am so proud to volunteer for SARSAS, and run for them in the Bath Half. It feels like a liberation doing this for myself, and for all the women who have ever experienced abuse while out running.