People riding public transit around Metro Vancouver will soon see something new during their commutes – posters condemning sexual harassment.
The posters, which say “Unwanted touching is a crime. Keep your hands to yourself,” are part of the next phase of the Transit Police’s campaign to end sexual offending.
Live now at the Waterfront Station @transitpolice in partnership with Battered Women’s Support Services & End Violence BC #endharassment pic.twitter.com/9NxEgWqOkr
— Transit Police BC (@TransitPolice) November 29, 2016
“An important first step has been achieved today in the acknowledgment by the transit authority of the reality for women and girls using public transportation in Metro Vancouver,” said Angela Marie McDougall, executive director for Battered Women’s Support Services.
“Sexual harassment and assault public awareness campaigns are necessary actions against silence and ignorance. Helping to create an environment where those that would perpetrate could no longer be guaranteed they could assault women and girls with impunity.”
According to Transit Police statistics, reports of sexual harassment and assault increased by 28 per cent in 2015.
Hollaback Vancouver, a crowd-sourced initiative to end street harassment, reports that 58 per cent of women do not feel safe on public transit.
