Crimestoppers Scotland campaign to tackle sexual harassment

Crimestoppers Scotland has partnered with British Transport Police (BTP), Network Rail, and ScotRail to help the public recognise and report sexual harassment on the railway network.

The campaign aims to give people the confidence and tools to report unwanted sexual behaviour and make rail travel safer for everyone.

Angela Parker, national manager of Crimestoppers Scotland, said: "Our charity believes that everyone has the right to feel safe, and that includes when travelling on public transport.

"We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable summer but often sexual harassment can be frightening and traumatising, spoiling what should be fun and memorable events.

"That’s why we’re working with partners to ensure everyone knows what constitutes sexual harassment and how to report safely and anonymously.

"If you are uncomfortable about reporting someone you know who is responsible for sexual harassment, remember that you can speak up completely anonymously by calling the railway’s sexual harassment line which is powered by Crimestoppers on 0800 783 0137.

"We guarantee no-one will ever know you contacted us and you will be helping to protect others from the harm caused by this unacceptable criminal behaviour."

Reports of sexual assaults and harassment on UK trains have risen by more than a third in the past decade.

Government research shows that 84% of women and 60% of men in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime.

Passengers often describe feeling trapped, afraid, and violated.

One 24-year-old passenger, Abby, told Crimestoppers about how four men targeted her on a train from Falkirk to Glasgow.

She said: "They deliberately sat across from me when the train was empty and began to share pornography on the phone’s speaker.

"They were staring at me and laughing.

"I got up and moved to the carriage and reported to BTP."

To tackle this behaviour, Crimestoppers Scotland and the rail industry are raising awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment with a Scotland-wide social media campaign.

The campaign highlights behaviours such as groping, masturbating, leering, watching explicit content in public, or making sexual or suggestive comments, sounds or gestures.

Crimestoppers will also distribute information through outreach stalls and big screens at stations, along with calling cards at every station to inform passengers how to report an incident.

Innis Keith, Health, Safety and Environment director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "Everyone deserves to feel safe when travelling by train or passing through our stations.

"Sexual harassment is completely unacceptable, and no-one should have to tolerate inappropriate, intimidating or unwanted behaviour.

"If you experience or witness sexual harassment, then please report it.

"We will continue working closely with our partners to prevent offending behaviour and support anyone affected.

"We all have the right to travel with confidence and respect."

Kirsten Oswald, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, emphasised the importance of challenging abusive behaviour. 

She said: "Preventing violence against women and girls is a priority for the Scottish Government, and initiatives such as this campaign help challenge behaviours, making it clear that harassment is unacceptable and has no place in society including on our rail network.

“It is vital that everyone feels safe when travelling.

"By raising awareness, supporting victims and encouraging reporting, this partnership is helping to ensure inappropriate behaviour is recognised and acted upon, knowing it will be taken seriously.

"I encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences sexual harassment to report it so that those responsible can face justice.

“Enforcement alone is not enough.

"This behaviour is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and girls, and the responsibility for ending this rests with the perpetrators who must change their harmful behaviour.”

ScotRail’s managing director, Joanne Maguire, echoed these sentiments and emphasised the importance of the campaign during a busy summer season.

She said: "Everybody has the right to feel safe on our trains and ScotRail is committed to tackling sexual harassment in any form.

"It is not acceptable that anybody, particularly women and young girls, should feel vulnerable while using our services."

BTP chief superintendent Lorna McEwan encouraged victims and witnesses to report incidents.

She said: "We’re working tirelessly to stamp out sexual harassment across the railway in Scotland – raising awareness of unacceptable behaviour and empowering victims to report it to us, knowing they will be believed and taken seriously.

“Our number one priority is keeping the travelling public safe, and we have officers in uniform and plain clothes who patrol at stations and on trains day and night.

"I’d urge anyone who experiences this sort of behaviour to report it to us so we can take action.

Save our text number 61016 in your phone and let us know if you ever need us.”