Harrassment such as leering, catcalling, touching, pressing, upskirting or indecent exposure is all the more likely to be experienced if you experience misogyny, and are Disabled. Disabled women and girls are at even more risk, however 51% of victims stated that other rail passengers did intervene to try to help. 'The message to the travelling public is to watch out and stand up for each other' - often bystander intervention is the quickest and most effective way to prevent further harm or escalation.
The daily experience for millions of women and girls whether they are commuting to and from work, or having a day or an evening out with friends on a night bus or on a near empty train, should not be one of fear. It is also difficult given that many women and Disabled people do not feel listened to or taken seriously when reporting their experiences.
Disability Rights UK Transport Policy Adviser Stephen Brookes said ‘It is vitally important that all incidents of violence harassment and sexual offences against women and girls, including those of Disabled women and girls are reported’.
‘It is critical that all rail and bus operators train staff to create a safe environment for travelling on public transport. The level of violence, harassment and sexual offences that women and girls are experiencing is completely unacceptable and should not go unchallenged.’ Ensuring we have staff at our stations not only helps Disabled people who need additional access support, but ensures people who might experienced gendered violence feel safer. It is especially concerning that the decrease in funding and infrastructure to railway stations could lead people to feel more isolated in these circumstances. We once again encourage people using public transport to look out for one another so that if cases of harrassment occur, we can keep one another safe.