In short
The event was organised in an effort to give people confidence in running the trails in the wake of random attacks
Four incidents on paths at Mt Coot-tha, and one nearby, were reported to police in May and June
Council recently installed hundreds of cameras along the trail in an effort to catch any perpetrators
Hundreds of people have gathered on Mount Coot-tha in Brisbane’s western suburbs to demand an end to gender-based violence, after several women were maliciously targeted on hiking trails.
About 300 walkers, hikers and runners turned out for the Reclaim the Trails event at the JC Slaughter Falls section of Mount Coot-tha bushlands this morning.
The event was organised by state Labor MP Jonty Bush, whose sister was killed by an intimate partner.
“The assaults that have occurred on Mount Coot-tha … were terrifying and tragic and really quite startling for all of us who are frequent users of the trails,” Ms Bush said.
“I had a lot of women coming to me saying that they didn’t feel safe on these trails anymore … you could see the population dropping back.
“I also had a lot of men coming to me as well saying they didn’t feel comfortable running alone, they didn’t want to be in a position where they might inadvertently scare a woman so that’s when I knew we had a real issue here.”
Four incidents on paths at Mt Coot-tha, and one nearby, were reported to police in May and June.
It includes two alleged sexual assault attempts, an alleged wilful exposure, and a group of women allegedly being menaced by a loitering man.
No arrests have been made.
‘A mixture of absolute anger and disgust’
Karen Spencer is part of a local trail running club and said some women had quit running entirely after the incidents due to fear.
Last month, Brisbane City Council installed a network of 80 secret and visible CCTV cameras across the Mt Coot-tha Reserve, Brisbane’s largest natural area at 1,600 hectares of bushland.
The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day.
Some have reported taking deep heat, makeshift self-defence sprays, personal alarms and even a screwdriver to protect themselves.
“With the recent attacks on women, it’s been a mixture of absolute anger and disgust that it’s taken away something so important to runners … it’s not just about fitness, it’s about mental health, our time to ourselves – something that makes us feel empowered,” Ms Spencer said.
“I have a lot of friends who are not out on the trails at the moment, they’re running on treadmills, or out on the road or they’re just not running at all.
“With these attacks, even though there’s only been a few and they’ve been very random … these women, they think: What if it happens to me?”
Ms Spencer said today’s event was a chance for men and women to come together to say enough is enough.
“Nothing’s going to stop us from enjoying these beautiful trails in Brisbane, we’re so lucky to have them right in the city,” Ms Spencer said.
“These are our trails, and we’re taking them back.”
Trail runner Tracy Baker said the incidents had sparked a lot of outrage within the running community.
“It was anger to start with and then a sadness, it stopped people … especially women to get out on these trails on their own which they love to do,” Ms Baker said.
“It’s really important to get the community together and show everyone these trails are really important to us and we need to feel safe on them.”
Trail Running Association of Queensland [TRAQ] president Geoff Russell said it was important men are part of the conversation.
“If you see something that doesn’t look right, speak up and say something,” Mr Russell said.
“For males, if you’re coming up behind a female runner, just yelling out early: ‘passing on your left’ … a smile and a nod hello, just helps people feel safe out there.”
Timeline of incidents
The first incident happened on May 13, when a 25-year-old woman reported being pushed to the ground by a man who tried to sexually assault her.
She struggled free and the man fled on foot. The woman has since withdrawn her police complaint.
Another woman reported an attempted sexual assault on June 7 on the Maculata Track, which was interrupted by a man running nearby.
Days later, an older man exposed himself to a woman with a young child on a walking trail near Creekside Street at Brookfield.
He was described as a thin man with a moustache, dressed in black. A police helicopter and officers on foot were deployed but were unable to locate him.
Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers.