Make railways safer for women by stopping staff cuts

TSSA today (Thursday called on the Government to make railways safer for female passengers by stopping the planned cuts to station staff.

The union’s call came on the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Government research published earlier this year showed that 28% of sexual harassment incidents took place on our railways. 

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said, "Pre-pandemic reports of sexual offences and violent crimes on our railways were on the rise, as they were across the rest of society.

“We know that the best way to make platforms and trains safer for women is for staff to be present at all times. Yet, in the last few months, the Tory government has been deliberately looking to reduce staffing on our railways through a voluntary severance scheme. Worse still, the Department for Transport has so far refused to rule out compulsory redundancies in the future.

“The best way that the government can make sure that our railways continue to be a safe and comfortable place for all passengers is for them to ensure that our rail network is properly staffed at all times.”

 Notes to editors

Government research shows 84% of women and 60% of men in the UK population have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime. In the last 12 months, sexual harassment was reported to happen most frequently on the street or walking around (42%), in a club, pub or bar (31%) or on public transportation (28%).

The Government Equalities Office 2020 Report on Sexual Harassment.

BBC News' Report on the rise of violent crime reported on British Railways.