Two in five female transport workers sexually harassed
Women working across public transport have described being sexually harassed while doing their job with one describing how men frequently stroke her bottom as they pass by during the day – with worse antics from drunken males at night.
Two in five women public transport workers have been sexually harassed in the course of their job, a trade union has found.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said its survey of 1,400 women workers across rail, bus, metro and passenger ferries found that many were not making formal complaints because they did not think they would be taken seriously.
More than 80 per cent of respondents said that sexual harassment on public transport was becoming more of a problem.
One woman said: “I have had numerous men stroke my bum as they pass by and that’s in the day.
“Of a night when they are drunk, it’s worse. I’ve had a group of men grab me and say ‘come on love sit on my knee’.”
Another woman described being subjected to cat-calling, touching, staring, unwanted uncomfortable conversation and unwanted compliments, as well as people taking pictures of her without her permission.
One of the respondents said “sexually aggressive and explicit language as a form of intimidation is a frequent thing”, while another said: “There are fewer staff and perpetrators become emboldened by this.”
Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said: “On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, this survey shows employers have much more to do in the public transport industry, and the authorities in wider society, in tackling misogyny and harassment against women.
“It is clear that more staffing and reducing lone working will help make our members feel safer.
“I am grateful to all our women members who took part and shared their experiences, some of which make for uncomfortable reading.
“RMT will always support our women members at work in combating sexual harassment and hold employers to account for any shortcomings.”
