Home / Crime and Justice / Predators Target Women in Mixed Changing Rooms
Predators Target Women in Mixed Changing Rooms
10 Dec
Summary
- 146 sex crimes reported in English leisure centres in 2023.
- 80 sexual assaults, 16 rapes, and 65 voyeurism incidents occurred.
- One-third of leisure centres lack single-sex changing facilities.
Mixed-sex changing rooms in leisure centres across England and Wales have become a significant concern due to increasing sexual offenses against women and girls. Data obtained by the Women's Rights Network (WRN) indicates that in 2023, a total of 146 sex crimes were reported within these facilities. This alarming figure includes 80 incidents of sexual assault, 16 reported rapes, and 65 cases of voyeurism, highlighting a hidden danger for vulnerable users.
The WRN's findings point to a troubling lack of single-sex changing areas, with a previous report suggesting that one-third of local councils offer no such spaces. Campaigners label mixed-sex changing rooms as a 'magnet for sexual predators,' emphasizing the need for authorities to protect female swimmers. Olympic champion Sharron Davies MBE has publicly supported calls for action, urging local authorities to prioritize the safety of all female swimmers.
Recent cases underscore the severity of the issue. In 2024, two men were convicted for filming thousands of women and girls in changing rooms. Separately, a Scottish nurse successfully challenged her employer after complaining about having to share a women's-only changing room with a trans doctor. These incidents collectively highlight the ongoing debate and urgent need for safer changing facilities.
