Lancashire walking clubs unite to back #getthemessage campaign against violence towards women and girls

Hosted by Girls Who Walk Preston and Girls Who Walk Chorley, the event will see participants set off at 6pm in a show of solidarity, and to highlight the everyday harassment that forces too many women to change how, when and where they live their lives.

People are invited to come along and show their support, alongside walking and running clubs from right across the county.

The walk follows a Lancashire-wide survey of more than 4,500 women and girls which found 93% modify their daily behaviour to avoid danger, 91% cross the street to avoid men, and 78% have felt unsafe in the past year.

It also comes just weeks after the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023 came into force on 1 April 2026, creating a specific offence of intentional harassment because of a person’s sex, with a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment.

Grace Gudgeon, Founder & Director of Girls Who Walk Preston, organised the event to support the campaign.

She said: “[QUOTE TO COME FROM GIRLS WHO WALK PRESTON / CHORLEY HOST]

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “It is fantastic to see Lancashire’s walking and running community coming together in this way to back #GetTheMessage. When 93% of women in our county tell us they are changing their daily behaviour just to feel safe, that is something every one of us has a responsibility to challenge.

“This campaign is aimed at men and boys, asking them to reflect on the impact of behaviours that are too often dismissed as banter but cause real harm to women and girls. With the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act now in force, the message is clearer than ever – public sexual harassment is a crime, and perpetrators face up to two years in prison.

“It is also a call to all of us to be active bystanders. To notice when something isn’t right, and to step in safely if we can.

“My thanks go to Girls Who Walk Preston and Chorley for leading from the front, and to every walking and running club joining them on 25 May. Together, we can make Lancashire a place where women and girls feel safe to enjoy the outdoors, at any time of day.”

The campaign encourages people to ‘have a WORD’ if they witness harassment in a public place and it is safe to do so:

• W – Watch. Trust your instincts and notice when someone looks uncomfortable, is being followed, or is being spoken to in a way that feels intimidating.
• O – Offer. If it feels safe, check in. Ask if they are okay, start a friendly conversation, or stand nearby so they are not alone.
• R – Redirect. Shift the moment by asking for the time or directions, or by starting a normal conversation.
• D – Do something. Speak to staff, security or the police if the situation feels more serious.

The walk sets off from Avenham Park, Preston, at 6pm on Monday 25 May. All walking and running clubs across Lancashire are invited, along with the public who would like to show their support. The event is open to everyone and more details can be found on the Girls Who Walk Preston social media channels.

To find out more about the campaign and the Have a WORD approach, visit www.getthemessage.uk and follow @getthemessage_ on Instagram