The concerns women have while running are the same concerns all women have any time we are alone in public space. There nothing we can fundamentally change to be outside safely; what needs to change is men, who should stop attacking us. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/arkansas-woman-killed-running-women-stay-safe-outdoor/story?id=72560802

My main running route in Manhattan passes a spot where a woman was attacked and nearly killed on the east river one evening a few years ago, the day before thanksgiving. It was like 7pm. I think about it literally time I pass there, and usually find someone to run behind.

There is no place in fitness service journalism for a menu of options women can try to avoid assault.

You would never publish a story saying “here are some tips you can use to avoid being attacked while outside!” But that is effectively what this story is.

Because the woman is engaged in “fitness,” we relegate it to equivalent coverage—which trivializes it more.

I think there’s a sexualization of female runners—especially since we’re out there doing it voluntarily, in tight clothes, in a way that might be attractive to men— that makes it the equivalent of a short skirt.

Also this is not a dig on the writers — I would have been pumped to write a version of this piece at some point in my career (especially if an editor asked me to). The problem is structural. This article is just an example—no specific ABC byline is the actual problem.