A growing number of women and children regularly visit swimming pools and leisure centres for exercise and recreation. However, an urgent campaign by the Women’s Rights Network (WRN) is raising a “Red Flag” over a hidden danger: the rising prevalence of mixed-sex changing rooms.
The WRN argues that the trend towards “family-friendly” mixed changing villages, often recommended by Sports Councils as a “cost-effective” solution, is putting women and children at serious, unnecessary risk year-round.
High Risk, High Concern
The data supports the alarm. A 2018 FOI investigation revealed that out of 134 complaints of sexual misconduct in UK sports centres, nearly 90% (120 incidents) occurred in mixed facilities. More recently, in January 2025, Swim England held an emergency meeting after cases of voyeurism and the use of mobile phones to photograph women and girls changing at swim competitions doubled.
Adding to the concern, a 2024 WRN report found that a troubling one-third of council swimming pools now provide only mixed-sex changing areas for swimmers. The campaign describes these areas as “easy hunting grounds for predatory males seeking access to women and children.”
Safeguarding Must Be Priority One
The WRN’s message is clear and uncompromising: The safest changing room is a single-sex changing room.
They are calling on all sports and leisure providers to make safeguarding the absolute No. 1 priority in the design and refurbishment of leisure facilities.
What You Can Do
Concerned citizens are urged to take action locally:
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Contact your local council if you feel unsafe using mixed-sex facilities.
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Insist on public consultation regarding changing facilities when a leisure centre is being built or refurbished.
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Speak to your local councillor or MP to voice your concerns.
The Red Flag Campaign is mobilising efforts to signify the serious safeguarding risk and demand that leisure providers protect women and children from harm.
Read more about the Womens Rights Network Red Flag campaign here
