Although low, the likelihood of women experiencing sexual harassment or assault while tramping is real nonetheless. If we find ourselves in a scenario where another person’s behaviour makes us feel unsafe, what can we do about it?

Earlier this year a woman was assaulted on the popular Rangituhi/Colonial Knob walking track in Porirua.

Detective Sergeant Ben Evans told RNZ the assault happened halfway up the stairs of the track about 3.30pm on Wednesday, 18 June.

“This is a deeply concerning incident and police are offering support to the victim, who is understandably shaken,” he said.

Wellington police patrolled the area in the days after.

The incident took place while I was writing this column, which was initially about sexual harassment on Te Araroa. 

In March, the behaviour of a male hiker at Stodys Hut led to a Facebook post warning female hikers to avoid being alone at campsites or huts in the area.

A female southbound hiker had arrived at Stodys Hut and was setting up her tent when the man mentioned his liking for skimpy underwear, then stripped down to his.

‘The creepy behaviour with no-one else around was unsettling to the point she packed up and left the area in the evening, walking in the dark to Pakituhi Hut where she met other hikers. They had previously encountered the northbound man and also felt he was acting strangely,’ the Facebook post read.

Police subsequently removed the man from Te Araroa. 

The woman successfully mitigated a threat to her personal safety, but that is something no one should have to deal with.

What is the likelihood of being sexually harassed or assaulted while solo hiking? 

Despite statistical evidence that women are far more likely to be assaulted by men they know, the fear of incidents like this persists – because they happen. The likelihood of attack is also far greater in towns and cities, but the stories above show us that they can happen anywhere, at any time.

I could find no research into incidents of harm to women in the context of tramping, but some overseas studies of women’s experiences of feeling unsafe in the outdoors do exist.

In 2024, This Girl Can in the UK conducted a study of female trail runners’ perceptions of safety while exercising outdoors. Titled ‘Women trail runners’ encounters with vulnerability to male harassment in rural off-road spaces’, it found that despite most of the 16 interviewees not having had direct experiences of harassment while running, as solo females they felt vulnerable to attack and would constantly assess the environment to establish the legitimacy of other people using the trails.

An adjacent study was carried out by Outside magazine in the US. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, it surveyed readers about sexual harassment in the outdoor recreation industry. Of the 4193 people who responded, 53 per cent of women had been sexually harassed while recreating; of that group, 93 per cent had been catcalled, 56 per cent had been followed by someone, 18 per cent had been flashed and 4 per cent had been attacked.

The survey was initially posted via the magazine’s Facebook page. Although many commenters welcomed Outside’s initiative, some men belittled it and even made jokes about violence against women. One woman wrote in response: ‘When only men are complaining or cracking jokes and only women are defending the survey, you know there’s an issue.’ 

OurWatch, Australia’s leader in the primary prevention of violence against women, notes that while not all disrespect leads to violence, all violence starts with disrespect. And when disrespect towards women goes unchallenged, it creates a culture in which violence is more likely. OurWatch advocates calling out sexist comments and behaviour, challenging gender stereotypes, and supporting equal rights and opportunities for women. For women to be safe, they must be equal. 

What can we do to prevent violence against women when tramping?

A good starting point is to stop normalising such violence. The responsibility for women’s safety actually lies with the actions that men take; women should not even have to think about protecting themselves. 

Violence Information Aotearoa (VINE) stresses that men have a responsibility to avoid actions that may make women feel uncomfortable or unsafe, and to call out any unsafe behaviour they observe in others.

Outdoor Training NZ’s Heather Grady also encourages other men present to step up, call out inappropriate behaviour and offer support to affected women. That could include switching up sleeping arrangements or offering to change bunkrooms.

In The Guardian, in the wake of the study by This Girl Can, Sport England chair Chris Boardman outlined steps men can take to ensure women feel safer in the outdoors. He suggested men should keep their distance so a woman doesn’t feel like she’s being followed; avoid making disrespectful comments, even if intended as a compliment; and let others who make such comments know why it’s not okay.

VINE also advised women to follow the Land Safety Code recommendations of leaving intentions with a friend and taking a PLB.

What can we do if we encounter behaviour that makes us feel unsafe?

Kia Haumaru Personal Safety Education instructor Imogen Coxhead recommends that women undertake training in self defence. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just knowing a few simple moves can make a woman feel more in control. “We must practise using our minds to think our way out of situations, our voices to assert ourselves, and our bodies to resist harm if necessary.” It can help to change our thinking from a victim mentality based on ‘what is this person going to do to me?’ to an empowering stance: ‘What can I do to this person?’ 

“Learn where the vulnerable points are on the body and simple, effective ways to cause pain or disable another person.” Our instincts are always right, she says – if your gut is telling you something is not right, act on that swiftly. Make yourself look and sound as clever, brave and strong as you can, even if you have to fake it.

Te Araroa Trust manager Matt Claridge encourages walkers to remove themselves from any situation where possible, and to look out for one another.

“Behaviour that causes distress or discomfort to others is entirely contrary to [the spirit of Te Araroa] and is unwelcome … I encourage all walkers to look out for each other, trust their instincts, and prioritise safety.”

Grady also recommends removing yourself from the situation if it is safe to do so, and seeking the company of others: “Do it quietly so you don’t draw attention to yourself, so they don’t follow you.”

One factor to consider is that huts accessible by 4WD or boat allow people to bring in large amounts of alcohol, and the people visiting may not adhere to the general backcountry code of looking out for others.

Lastly, record what has happened in as much detail as you can while it is fresh in your mind, and report any incident as soon as possible to the police and DOC.

If you are the victim of sexual harassment or assault, support is available at www.safetotalk.nz. Self-defence courses are available to women and our rainbow community through www.kiahaumaru.org.nz.