Reports women ‘touched inappropriately’ at Alice Springs Take Back the Track event
‘Shocking and upsetting’: An event held to promote women’s safety in Alice Springs has been soured by reports of at least four attendees being harassed and touched inappropriately.
Northern Territory
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A fun run to promote women’s safety has soured after reports at least four attendees were harassed and inappropriately touched at the event.
The “Take Back the Track” event was held in Alice Springs on Wednesday afternoon in solidarity with four women assaulted in separate incidents while out for a run over the past fortnight.
On Wednesday, NT Police advised detectives from Southern Investigations had arrested a youth in relation to multiple alleged indecent assaults.
Investigators identified a 14-year-old male, who was arrested at a residence in Gillen on Wednesday morning and processed into custody.
He was expected to be charged with one count of act of gross indecency without consent and three counts of indecent touching or act.
During the protest run along the Todd River, at least four women reported being inappropriately touched by a separate group of up to eight children, ranging from eight to 14 years old.
“This behaviour is deeply shocking and upsetting – especially in the context of an event meant to promote women’s safety,” the Take Back the Track organisers said in a joint statement.
“While we recognise that the children involved may not fully understand the weight of their actions, it is crucial to ask: who are these young people learning from? Who is teaching them that such behaviour is acceptable? It is clear that this goes beyond individual actions — it reflects a wider cultural issue.”
About 150 people turned out for the event, organised by the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club, Alice Springs Dusty Divas, and the Mparntwe Social Running and Walking Club.
“Our message was loud and clear: Women are entitled to exercise in public spaces without fear of harassment or harm,” they said.
“We will not stand for attacks against women. We ask men to stand with us, respect us, call out harmful attitudes and behaviour and demand change.”
The group of children had reportedly moved along the bike path from the Tunks Rd crossing to the Stott Terrace bridge – high-fiving participants but also slapping some women on the bottom.
Alice Springs Running and Walking Club president Katie Stroud said it became “a teaching moment” for the kids, as a man participating in the run called them out.
“He explained to them that’s actually sexual assault, and it’s not okay,” she said.
“It’s not really about those kids, or just about Alice Springs – it’s an issue worldwide.”
Take Back the Track was also fundraising to purchase personal alarms for local women worried about running alone.
It has so far raised more than $3000 of its $5000 goal to buy 200 of the alarms, which set off a loud noise if activated.
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Originally published as Reports women ‘touched inappropriately’ at Alice Springs Take Back the Track event
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