UK Active and This Girl Can publish guidance on preventing and dealing with sexual harassment

UK Active and This Girl Can have published a new guide to help fitness and leisure facilities communicate their policies and procedures around sexual harassment and intimidation.

Launched on the Safer Spaces to Move resource hub, From Policy to Practice: How to Share Your Stance Against Harassment in Your Facility covers a range of practical examples and tips on topics such as how to communicate that sexual harassment and intimidation are not tolerated in facilities; how members can report concerns, what will happen next if they do, and what support is available to them.

The guide has been developed in consultation with the Safer Spaces to Move Taskforce, which is made up of representatives from across the industry. It follows the publication of resources in July 2025 which covered a range of guidance and staff training modules to ensure operators have the foundational protocols in place to respond to any instances of sexual harassment and intimidation.

Hattie Jones, head of membership and sector development at UK Active, said: “Given the growing demand our sector sees from women and girls and the popularity of these services, it’s vital all facilities play their part in addressing the societal issues of sexual harassment and intimidation.”

Claire Edwards, head of campaign activation from This Girl Can, said making women feel safe at fitness facilities is key to tackling the gender participation gap: “With millions of women and girls using gyms and leisure centres, the fitness sector must be ready to tackle harassment and intimidation and today’s launch reaffirms our commitment to helping gyms and leisure centres put stronger safety standards into action.

Edinburgh Leisure participated in the Safer Spaces to Move Taskforce. Head of marketing, communication and sales, Jill Davidson, says the project has provided: “fresh perspectives and practical tools, enhancing our staff’s confidence and deepening organisational understanding of how to maintain proactive safety measures, so that women and girls always feel safe, respected, and empowered in our centres.”

The guide is downloadable from the UK Active website.