An Adelaide woman who says she was recently confronted by a man along a popular jogging track has expressed relief that an arrest has been made, following what police described as reports of “aggressive behaviour” in the same area.
The woman, who only wanted to be identified by her first name, Bianca, told ABC Radio Adelaide it was “upsetting” that she felt she had to change her running habits as a result of the incident in Linear Park at Highbury.
Police confirmed they had received multiple reports about incidents in the same vicinity, and that a 20-year-old man from nearby Paradise had yesterday been arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour.
It is understood that other women were also confronted in the park, and police have said that “investigations are continuing in relation to further offences”.
Bianca said she was “completely relieved” that an arrest had been made.
“It seems I’ve not been the only person who’s been reporting incidents such as this recently,” she said.
“No-one wants to be looking over their shoulder every time they hear a jogger or someone coming up behind them.”
Police said a 20-year-old man had been bailed and would appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on August 5.
Bianca said the alleged incident, which she immediately reported to police, left her “quite uneasy about my safety”, and had led her to change her running habits.
“Wearing bright-coloured clothing, not having ear pods in my ears, being selective of the time I’m going out, and choosing the particular trails,” she said.
“It is upsetting that I feel I’ve had to do this, but after that incident I feel as though I have to put my safety first and minimise risk as much as I can.
“I feel bad for anyone out on the trail who’s just out there enjoying their free time and being active and has to change their behaviour.”