Women are bracing themselves for three days of harassment this weekend as thousands of racegoers from around the country flock to Cheltenham to attend its famous racecourse. While the punters are getting excited to bet on their favourite horses, the women are desperately preparing to keep themselves safe. With races occurring all weekend, it’s safe to say the town will be very rowdy- especially at night.
When asked if there are measures in place at the racecourse to keep women safe, Marcey, a receptionist at The Jockey Club (Cheltenham Racecourse), said “Yes, we have security all around the racecourse, we’ve got police and police dogs, phone numbers they can call and text and there is always staff that will be able to assist”.
But if the staff are there to protect the customers, who is protecting the staff? Lauren Wilkinson, a 19-year-old waitress at the Cheltenham Racecourse said “I think there is a good level of security, but it doesn’t prevent verbal harassment as I think it’s seen as less serious. Men as old as around 60 have commented on my appearance multiple times and continuously asked me for my phone number even after I politely say no”.
Holly Woods, a table cleaner at the racecourse, feels on edge whilst working. She said, “I don’t feel safe, I was working a shift when a man took his clothes off and followed a woman into the toilets, when staff tried to make him leave, he refused”.
A staff member who wished to remain anonymous said “I was just doing my job when three rowdy men cornered me and said they’d give me £50 to take my top off. I was literally stood in the middle of the restaurant trying to collect glasses. It was horrible”. She continued, “I didn’t report it because I didn’t think it would be taken seriously. These things are so normalised now.”
But the harassment isn’t only subject to the racecourse, it exists all around Cheltenham town- especially at night. A survey by Cheltenham Borough Council revealed 72% of 638 respondents said they did not feel safe at night, rising to 75% during race week. Becky, a student working at the Botanist bar said “I’m dreading it, I’ve never worked during race week before and I always hear stories of girls being harassed. It’s always rowdy in town, I don’t feel safe walking around”.
It is evident that there is still so much more to be done to keep women safe during race week- from drink covers in clubs and bars to increased security all over Cheltenham. No precautions are too much.
