To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the recent survey conducted by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, which found that 40 per cent of women public transport workers have been sexually harassed at work, what steps they are taking to combat sexual harassment in the transport sector and prevent it from worsening.
Answered on
6 December 2023
As part of the 2021 cross-government tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, the government appointed the independent VAWG Transport Champions. In March 2022, the VAWG Transport Champions published 13 recommendations which have been crucial in informing the work of DfT on tackling VAWG on transport.
The safety and security of female rail workers is and will continue to be of paramount importance for the Government and for train operators. The Department funds the national Rail Delivery Group ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign against sexual harassment on the railway. The campaign aims to educate passengers and staff of what constitutes sexual harassment and informs people of the action they can take to report it if they witness it or are a victim themselves. A dedicated CrimeStoppers line is in operation for all those who wish to report anonymously.
The British Transport Police will investigate every report of sexual harassment on the railway; incidents can be reported to British Transport Police via text on 61016, via the Railway Guardian App, online, or in an emergency by dialling 999.
All Train Operators are also required to develop, maintain and implement a Safeguarding on Rail Scheme, accredited by the British Transport Police.