When we talk about Harassment or assault, one of the first images that come to mind is usually that of typical street Harassment; this includes but is not limited to catcalling, unwelcomes touching, groping, pulling, whistling, following, retaliation from the embarrassment of rejection, and so on. As common as street harassment is, it also often goes hand-in-hand with transit harassment. Transit harassment is any unwelcomed action/behavior directed at a person while using public transit -whether as operators or riders.
Can we talk about transit Harassment for a sec?!
If you’re active on social media platforms, you’ve probably seen the many videos created to help women feel safer in rideshares. I keep hearing folks ask about what women can/should do to stay safe while using public transportation, especially as rideshare apps have gained massive popularity in recent years.
Below are the usual suggestions told to women to stay safe while navigating public transit:
Have the driver confirm first who they are expecting to pick up, then confirm it’s YOUR driver/ride.
Verify that the door does NOT have child-lock enabled.
Share the trip with a 3rd party.
Make sure you “call” to tell your person that you’re on your way to your destination and inform them of your estimated arrival time AND that you’re sharing the trip with them.
Follow along the route on the map, if any detours occur, ask for clarification; why is this route not the other?
Stay ALERT!
Avoid rideshares with drivers who insist on talking on the phone, especially when navigating in unfamiliar areas -SAFETY FIRST.
If anything shady happens (even if it’s just a gut feeling) Hit the emergency help on the rideshare portal ( THAT’S FOR YOUR SAFETY, THEY HAVE TO HELP YOU ASAPEDLY).
GET OUT of the car if you can
Carry safety tools if possible (pepper spray and such).
If you’re going home, avoid getting dropped off directly at your front door if you can (weird but necessary).
MEN: Please note all these things women and feminine presenting folks have to consider just to get from one place to another…fairly safely.
*Ok. Now I do acknowledge street and transit harassment happens to men too at times…. BUT it’s still a majority women/ female-centric concern.
Now, even after taking all these precautions, sexual violence still occurs; often to women and female-presenting people.
What does that show/say about this social ill?! The issue is NOT in what women are /are NOT doing to avoid Harassment and Assault. The real solution is in addressing the perpetrators. Instead of putting the onus on women, how about we teach MEN to be better by holding them accountable for their actions from an early age.
Therefore, next time, if you do witness or experience transit harassment:
1. REPORT THE INCIDENT TO the affiliated company/organization.
2. REPORT to your local authorities
3. HARPit on the @HARPnowOrg website.
Don’t be silenced; we have to destigmatize the victimization of people and normalize calling out toxic behaviors that remain pervasive throughout our communities.
*Always remember: TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCTS, ALWAYS!
#HARPitNOW #LetsHARPaboutIt #NoMeansNo #MyBodyMyChoice
