
Women across the world often get harassed when they go for a run, and they decided to share the things that they carry to feel safe.
So much so that recently Avon and Somerset Police launched a #jogOn campaign in a bid to help people safe while running outdoors.
They were criticised for encouraging women to run in groups to avoid being sexually harassed - as many saw this as normalising harassment.
TV writer Amanda Deibert took to Twitter and asked women what they use to protect themselves when they go out running.
She said: “One of my mom groups has a thread that is just women listing and recommending which kind of protection they take when them when they go out running (Ie. pepper spray, alarm necklaces, whistles, etc) in case you wondered what being a woman is like."
Women: what do you use when you go out running?
Also, women: what do you use when you go out running?— Amanda Deibert🏳️🌈 (@Amanda Deibert🏳️🌈) 1559154186
Women wrote back...
Dogs.
@amandadeibert My women running friends also use: A running partner also, a dog - medium size - Its surprising how… https://t.co/F35RT4dXN1— Daniel Maycock (@Daniel Maycock) 1559155317
@amandadeibert I use dogs. https://t.co/LttYctSd3M— Zara (@Zara) 1559154386
@amandadeibert I take these two!! https://t.co/DZySHWfIKB— 🌈Dr. Rebecca Legg, MD (@🌈Dr. Rebecca Legg, MD) 1559160409
A knife.
This is legal in America, but not the UK.
@amandadeibert I’m in a women’s running group and it has to be the most common thread. For me it’s my knife. Highly… https://t.co/B3soGCrwkX— Elizabeth (@Elizabeth) 1559161331
This 11-year-old has a rape whistle and one of these...
@amandadeibert My daughter starts 6th grade in August and will need to use the school bus for the first time. The b… https://t.co/lShp8xlBCI— ScotOfTheSouth (@ScotOfTheSouth) 1559155201
A phone that tracks her location.
@amandadeibert I don't run, but I do hike a popular trail alone. I always have 2 knives on me. a 3.5" I hide betwee… https://t.co/cMfQV0ttfc— ☠ Jessie 🏳️🌈 (@☠ Jessie 🏳️🌈) 1559154450
Bear spray.
A running partner.
@amandadeibert My women running friends also use: A running partner also, a dog - medium size - Its surprising how… https://t.co/F35RT4dXN1— Daniel Maycock (@Daniel Maycock) 1559155317
A personal alarm.
@amandadeibert I carry a personal alarm, wear a glow in the dark vest/leave my headphones at home if I’m running in… https://t.co/7VcXWZC7wY— Jordan Archer (@Jordan Archer) 1559167545
British women remarked that many of the things carried by Americans aren't allowed in the UK.
So British women try to make do.
This woman runs in a public place and doesn't wear headphones.
@3am_Fright @amandadeibert I carry a knife too but that's just the practical lesbian in me. I find that living in t… https://t.co/p73pHngm4f— Lumpy Space Angela 🏳️🌈 (@Lumpy Space Angela 🏳️🌈) 1559157137
This woman doesn't wear headphones either... even though she would like to listen to music while running.
@amandadeibert Nothing but I won't wear headphones so I can be more alert to my surroundings. Would be nice to listen to music though— Christine Reeson (@Christine Reeson) 1559155948
This woman doesn't even run outside.
@amandadeibert I run on an indoor track at a community center so that I'm never alone outside, also what being a woman is like— Kelly Knox (@Kelly Knox) 1559154321
Men also shared their encounters with women runners - and the things they do to make them feel safer.
@amandadeibert i've said this before but i will say it again. when i am out running i intentionally run out into th… https://t.co/fTohHT9iwz— 30 to 50 Anthrax Attacks (@30 to 50 Anthrax Attacks) 1559154819
@amandadeibert I also run often with a female friend and safety is a topic that always comes up. Just by my being t… https://t.co/9paWPkSUlG— Shane Greer (@Shane Greer) 1559165933