Andy Devaney
In a sector built on self-improvement, ukactive is asking gyms, pools and leisure centres to improve something far less visible than a deadlift: how they talk—clearly and consistently—about sexual harassment and intimidation, and what happens when someone reports it. A new guide, published with Sport England’s This Girl Can, is designed to help facilities communicate policies in a way that builds trust rather than merely ticking a box.
Launched on the ‘Safer Spaces to Move’ resource hub, the guide’s premise is simple: people can’t feel safe in a building that won’t explain how safety works.
The gap between having a policy and being believed
Most facilities will tell you they have policies. The problem is whether members know they exist, understand them, and trust them enough to use them when it matters.
The guide—titled ‘From Policy to Practice: How to Share Your Stance Against Harassment in Your Facility’—sets out practical ways to communicate that harassment and intimidation are not tolerated, how to report concerns, what happens next, and what support is available.
That “what happens next” part is doing heavy lifting. It’s where confidence is either built—or quietly lost.
Why this matters now
The numbers in participation are heading in the right direction. The latest UK Health & Fitness Market Report shows 11.5 million people over the age of 16 are members of a health and fitness club. Sport England’s Active Lives Survey shows fitness activities among women and girls aged 16+ saw the largest growth across all activity types from the previous year (1.9%), with 7.7 million women taking part at least twice in the previous 28 days.
Since the Safer Spaces to Move project launched in 2021, that figure has grown by almost 1.4 million, and participation by women in fitness activities in public sector leisure facilities specifically has increased by 12% in the past 12 months.
Growth is the good news. The hard news is that more women participating also means the sector’s responsibility becomes less optional and more structural.
What the guide actually tells operators to do
This isn’t a lofty manifesto. It’s a practical communications manual aimed at the operational reality of leisure centres and gyms—front desk, changing rooms, poolside, studio doors, social channels, onboarding emails, signage, staff scripts.
It includes support on:
- communicating clearly that harassment and intimidation are not tolerated
- ensuring visitors and members know how to report concerns, what will happen next, and what support is available
- building trust and confidence in an operator’s policies and training so more members feel able to report issues
It was developed through a partnership between ukactive and This Girl Can, including consultation with the Safer Spaces to Move Taskforce—representatives across the industry, public and private, big operators and small. Its development was also informed by focus groups with women and men, putting members’ expectations at the centre of the messaging.
The uncomfortable statistic that explains everything
In 2022, awareness was the weak link. The research cited shows less than half of female gym users (46%) were aware their centre had a code of conduct or safety policies. More starkly, 15% of women who did not report an incident of harassment or intimidation said it was because they did not know who to report it to.
That’s not just a policy problem. It’s a communications failure.
Today, awareness has improved: nearly two-thirds (63%) of women aged 16–34 are aware their centre has a code of conduct.
Progress, yes. But the remaining gap is the space where confidence evaporates—usually in silence, usually without a complaint ever being filed.
What sector leaders are saying
Hattie Jones, Head of Membership and Sector Development at ukactive, said: “This guide is another step forward in the sector’s commitment to ensure that every woman and girl feels informed, confident and empowered to use the broad range of services within our nation’s gyms, pools and leisure centres.
“Given the growing demand our sector sees from women and girls and the popularity of these services, it is vital that all facilities play their part in addressing the societal issues of sexual harassment and intimidation.
“We are proud to work with This Girl Can and the dedicated Taskforce to develop this practical resource, which gives operators practical examples and ideas to reassure and support new and existing members to feel confident and safe.”
Claire Edwards, Head of Campaign Activation from This Girl Can, said: “Every part of society has a duty to prevent harassment against women and girls. 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.
“Preventing harassment before it happens is just as crucial as responding when it does. Only by ensuring women feel safe and confident when getting active, can we truly progress This Girl Can’s aim to tackle the gender activity gap.”
Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Women and girls have the right to go to fitness facilities to work out, keep active and have fun without being intimidated or harassed.
“As a Government, we are committed to building a healthier nation by making physical activity truly accessible and welcoming to all, and these guidelines will play a vital role in ensuring gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools are equipped to play their part.”
And from the operator side, Jill Davidson, Head of Marketing, Communications & Sales at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Our participation in the Safer Spaces to Move Taskforce has further strengthened our commitment to vigilance and continuous improvement [to combatting harassment and intimidation].
“The project has provided us with fresh perspectives and practical tools, enhancing our staff’s confidence and deepening organisational understanding of how to maintain proactive safety measures.
“We have reviewed and refined our practices, ensuring that our approach to safeguarding remains robust and responsive, and that women and girls always feel safe, respected, and empowered in our centres.”
Strengths, limitations, and what “good” looks like
The strength of this ukactive guidance is that it treats safety as a lived experience, not a laminated document. The point isn’t only to have rules; it’s to make sure members can find them, understand them, and believe them.
But it’s also worth stating the obvious: a guide cannot substitute for culture. Clear reporting routes mean little if staff aren’t trained, incidents aren’t handled consistently, or consequences are vague. Communication is the front door; accountability is the whole building.
“Good” looks like this: a member can walk in on day one, quickly see what’s acceptable, know how to raise a concern discreetly, understand what will happen next, and trust the process won’t turn into a second ordeal.
The takeaway
If fitness is about removing barriers, then confusion and silence are barriers too—just dressed more politely. The Safer Spaces to Move work has pushed awareness forward since 2021, and this latest step is aimed at the part many organisations neglect: saying the important thing plainly, in the places people will actually notice.
Because the ultimate promise of a gym isn’t just stronger bodies. It’s a space where people can show up as they are—without calculating risk before they even clip their membership card onto a lanyard.
