Listen to this article here
|
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging passengers to become ‘active bystanders’ on public transport and safely support one another when confronted with harassment or unwanted sexual behaviours.
A new campaign launched by the Greater Manchester TravelSafe Partnership aims to help passengers recognise the signs of harassment or unwanted sexual attention, while also advising on how to support someone targeted and how to report incidents.
Ensuring the safety of everyone travelling or working on public transport, particularly women and girls, is of vital importance to TfGM, which as a White Ribbon-accredited organisation is committed to doing all it can to end violence against women and girls.
Common examples of negative sexual behaviours on public transport include leering, catcalling, touching, pressing, upskirting and indecent exposure. While incidents of this nature remain low on public transport, they can create a negative perception of safety which TfGM is continually looking to improve so people can travel with confidence.
To help encourage a culture of active bystanders on public transport, TfGM has commissioned an advertising campaign which will appear on buses, trams, trains and at stops and stations.
It sets out clear guidance for customers on the types of action they can take, only if it’s safe to intervene, when witnessing another passenger experiencing negative sexual behaviours.
- Making small talk: Interrupt the situation by striking up unrelated conversation such as asking “What’s the next stop?” or “Do you have the time?” or pretending you know the person being harassed and act excited to have randomly run into them.
- Causing a distraction: Divert attention away from the harassment taking place by “accidentally” dropping something or causing a commotion e.g. dropping your bag, change in your wallet, or even your phone (just make sure it’s in a strong case!)
- Offering your seat: Give the passenger a way out of the situation by offering your seat or swapping seats with them.
- Making sure they are okay: Afterwards, check in and ask if they are okay, or speak to a member of staff for help.?
Vernon Everitt, Transport for Greater Manchester, said:
“Everyone using or working on our public transport and active travel network is entitled to be, and feel, safe at all times. People should not have to put up with being harassed or subject to sexual remarks or behaviours.
“Greater Manchester’s TravelSafe Partnership includes uniformed Bee Network support officers alongside regular police patrols out and about at stations, bus interchanges and on trams and buses. They provide a visible and reassuring presence on the network and take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of antisocial behaviour and crime.
“This campaign offers advice to customers on how to safely support one another and then report incidents, which then helps our teams take action against offenders. All reports are followed up and provide vital intelligence to inform our approach. I urge everyone to think about how to use the advice to become active bystanders and ensure that everyone feels safe and supported on public transport.”
Research conducted by TfGM in 2021 showed that 57% of women feel unsafe on public transport and in public places. However, since the launch of Bee Network franchising in September 2023, huge strides have been made to make sure people are safe, and feel safe, at all times when travelling.
A total of 69 new TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers (TSEOs) have been recruited to provide a reassuring, visible presence for the travelling public, with an additional 45 due to be recruited for the final phase of Bee Network bus franchising from 5th January, 2024.
Reporting incidents of harassment or negative sexual behaviours can also help ensure that it doesn’t happen to someone else. This can be done discreetly through LiveChat, which connects the user with a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) call handler, or by calling 101. Always dial 999 when someone is in immediate danger.
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities said:
“Despite the good work that takes place to tackle it, gender-based violence remains endemic around the world, the country and, sadly, here in Greater Manchester too. Reducing gender-based violence is central to our efforts to making the city-region a safer place that everyone can access, and we are starting to see real change happen.
“Bringing together our services and our partners is a vital part of how we tackle gender-based violence and abuse. That’s why we have a specific transport priority within our ten-year Gender-Based Violence Strategy, with GMCA and TfGM working in tandem to tackle these behaviours and make everyone safer across our Bee Network.”