April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

With all the news being focused on COVID-19 this month, and for good reason, it could be easy to forget that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.

Every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted (1). These assaults happen in a variety of settings, including home, the workplace, school, and yes, even the gym. In fact, research conducted by FitRated found almost three-quarters of the 890 women they surveyed had experienced an uncomfortable interaction at the gym. Furthermore, nearly 90% of respondents weren't a fan of being stared at or flirted with while exercising. And almost 80% didn't enjoy being spoken to (2).

As a leader in the fitness industry, it is important that you are aware of the correlation between sexual harassment and sexual assault, and their relationship to the fitness industry. From there, it is vital that you work to ensure that the environment you train in is safe--both emotionally and physically--for yourself, your clients, and your colleagues. This can be done by implementing simple strategies such as the following:

• Post your organization’s anti-harassment policy. Make sure that both staff and clients understand the policy.
• Ask before you touch a client to correct his or her form. When possible, demonstrate movement patterns or cue movement patterns to correct form.
• Comment on your client’s achievements, not their appearance.
• Be mindful of your position in relation to your client when observing them train. Make a point to position yourself to the side of the client as opposed to the front or the back of the client.

The prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment begins by acknowledging the prevalence and severity of the problem. By hitting pause to reflect on what we can do to ensure the safety of our clients, colleagues, and ourselves, we will have a healthier population. As a fitness professional, you can lead the way.

References

Uncomfortable at the Gym: Exploring Women’s Experiences While Working Working Out. https://www.fitrated.com/resources/uncomfortable-at-the-gym/