Following a series of attacks on women while exercising, Independent MLA Thomas Emerson will bring a motion to the ACT Legislative Assembly today calling for the ACT Government to roll out new measures to support women’s safety.

Mr Emerson said targeted behaviour change and intervention programs coupled with infrastructure improvements like better lighting in public spaces would make a difference.

“Women and girls are sick of being told to ‘stay vigilant’, which they’ve been conditioned to do since childhood. Men need to change,” Mr Emerson said.

“That starts with teaching boys about positive masculinity, and calling out toxic rhetoric about what it means to be a man.

“We can’t just stand by as online influencers shape the minds of our boys and young men, spreading harmful and degrading views about women. Services like Menslink are doing great work encouraging boys to connect with each other in positive ways, and to form more sophisticated views of themselves and their masculinity. 

“Organisations like Canberra Rape Crisis Centre know firsthand the devastating impact of gendered violence, and that far more work is needed upstream to change what’s happening on the frontline.

“93 per cent of respondents to my online poll asking women if they feel safe exercising in Canberra at night said ‘no’. 

“The ACT Government’s own Gender Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines indicate that better lighting is the most effective way to improve women’s sense of safety in public spaces. I’m calling for the ACT Government to produce a clear timeline for implementing these Guidelines across the Territory, starting with popular exercise spots like lake perimeters.

”It’s not acceptable that Canberra is a place where women don’t feel safe exercising at night.”

Kim Elms from Every Street Matters has been highlighting infrastructure issues affecting runners and pushing for improved lighting and footpaths across the ACT, and said urgent action is needed.

"As an avid runner of over 20 years and someone who has proudly represented Australia in my chosen sport, I know firsthand the importance of feeling safe while being active in our community,” Ms Elms said.

“I am also a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment while out running — experiences that have deeply shaped my understanding of the risks many women and girls face. Being active is vital for mental and physical wellbeing, yet far too many are denied this freedom due to safety concerns.

“Improving lighting and footpaths is a simple, necessary step toward making our shared spaces — trails, parks, and lake paths — accessible and safe for everyone. I strongly support this motion as an important step toward a safer, more inclusive community."

Tiffany Karlsson, CEO of Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, said prevention was a significant gap in the current sexual violence response.

“Most people in the ACT would be shocked to understand the scale of sexual violence in our community,” Ms Karlsson said.

“Every day, we support people who have experienced the very worst. But if we are serious about change, we need to go beyond the crisis response.

“Prevention work - in schools, workplaces and across our culture - is how we stop this kind of violence before it starts. It is also a sensible investment. We can't all just stand by and watch sexual violence statistics grow; we need to invest in prevention now to future-proof our communities from future harm.”

Ben Gathercole, CEO of Menslink, said the organisation supported Mr Emerson’s motion and strongly condemned the recent attacks against women.

“Obviously improvements to infrastructure like lighting is a positive and needed step,” Mr Gathercole said.

“The truth is more deep seated. We strongly believe that early intervention with facilitated peer supported education programs, supported by counselling and mentoring, is one of the pathways to have positive change around violent and concerning behavior against women.

“Menslink stands ready to participate at all levels to help achieve lasting change, but unfortunately is resource restricted in providing ongoing services to young men in the ACT and surrounds."

Cecily Michaels, Executive Director of Pedal Power, said a lot needs to be done to make outdoor exercise safer for women.

“As a woman who often rides at night, I know firsthand how unsafe it can feel in areas with poor lighting or broken paths,” Ms Michaels said.

“We know women cycle less than men, and safety is a key reason why. 

“Pedal Power strongly supports this motion and welcomes practical steps to make our shared spaces safer. Everyone deserves to feel confident and secure when walking, running or riding around our city."

Gill King, Convenor of Living Streets Canberra, welcomed the call for improving the ACT’s streets to help improve the safety of women, saying existing public infrastructure plans and guidelines needed to be implemented. 

“Despite a substantial body of standards and guidance, the environments where women move about in the ACT often fail to comply,” Ms King said.

”All our streets and paths should be - and feel - safe, accessible, comfortable and convenient for everyone.

“There are standards, guidelines and plans for how to do this to bring our public spaces up to scratch. The ACT just needs to implement them. They include Australian Standards, ACT design guidelines (including Gender Sensitive Urban Design), and the ACT for Safe, Healthy, Active, Inclusive Streets shared, non-partisan platform of priorities from community groups.” 

The motion will be debated in the Assembly this afternoon.