NatNews

While there are many benefits to texting and using social media app messaging features to communicate, these options also create easier opportunities for individuals to prey upon others.

According to a national study on sexual harassment and assault, nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetimes.

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of ways, including unwelcome sexual advances, such as unwarranted messages and images sent via texting or social media direct messaging. As of September 2019, it is illegal—and a Class C misdemeanor—in the state of Texas (one of the first states to do so) for an individual to send unwanted sexually explicit material via text, email, dating apps, social media, and any other form of electronic transmission.

According to the National Institutes of Health, recent research findings suggest that approximately 50% of adults have received unsolicited sexual messages and/or images.

“My initial reaction was shock,” an individual who wishes to remain anonymous said. “I don’t understand how you can be having a normal conversation with a guy, and then the picture just appears. Even if I was flirting in messages with a guy, I didn’t ask for these inappropriate pictures. So it has always been shocking and offensive to have that happen.”

Currently, fewer than half of sexual assault cases are reported, and the percentages are even lower for cases of electronic sexual harassment.

“It seems that most women don’t want to report situations like these because they are embarrassing, especially for the recipient,” an individual who also chooses to remain anonymous said. “It’s easier to just unmatch or block someone than to make a bigger deal of it.”

But it’s time to make a bigger deal of it. Individuals who receive such messages and images are encouraged to report the incidents immediately. Making a report to the local police department is the first step. Additionally, social media and dating apps have options on their respective platforms for users to report situations of abuse and harassment. Members of White Rock Running Co-op can even make reports anonymously using the Contact Us link on the group’s website.

For more information and resources regarding social media personal safety precautions, individuals can visit the RAINN website.

For many runners, treking along the same routes over and over can become a bit monotonous, and changing it up every once in a while is refreshing. For members of the White Rock Running Co-op, that refreshment can also come in the form of a post-run pool party in the grueling summer heat.

Each summer since the WRRC began in 2011, the group hosts a handful of events referred to as Run My Hood, which afford opportunities for individuals to begin and end at WRRC members’ homes and run in different areas throughout the Dallas metroplex. These events are in an effort to help make summer runs a bit more tolerable and to allow individuals who have been hesitant to join the weekly long runs to have a more relaxed introduction to the group.

“The theory was that most people aren’t marathon training in the middle of summer, and RMH is a way to keep people motivated during the hotter months,” WRRC admin Julie Lanaux said.

Along with that motivation comes the opportunity for runners to connect with others with whom they might not normally spend as much time.

“I think there are a lot of benefits to RMH,” Lanaux said. “It can teach people new routes in their area. It can be some runners’ first introduction to the group since the mileage tends to be shorter, and the RMH may be in their neighborhoods. And there’s the huge benefit of the social aspect—runners of all different paces and distances getting to hang out for the day.”

Individuals who host RMH events, including WRRC member Scott Manis, appreciate the opportunity to invite others into their homes and communities. Manis and his wife, Vicky, have hosted one each summer since 2014, and he said he’s looking forward to doing so again this year.  

“It’s a great way to share our home with others and expose the running community to new routes in other parts of DFW,” he said. “It’s really one of the highlights of my summer. We both get to meet so many new people every year.”

There are currently three upcoming RMH events:

• Wednesday, July 22 (hosted by Javier Trilla)
• Saturday, July 30 (hosted by Jacky Bonilla)
• Saturday, August 13 (hosted by Scott Manis)

WRRC members interested in attending can check the group’s Facebook page for additional information. Manis is hoping to see a variety of new and familiar faces at his event next month.

“By far the biggest benefit for new WRRC members is the chance to meet people in a relaxed setting after the run,” he said. “I recommend that everyone stick around after to enjoy the pool and potluck.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Plenty of WRRC members joined Manis at his RMH last year

Tuesday, July 19: National Daiquiri Day
Wednesday, July 20: WRRC Wednesday Night Run My Hood
Thursday, July 21: Deep Ellum Wine Walk: Summer Soirée
Saturday, July 23: WRRC Saturday run starting at Taco Joint