The VR Experience Targets Sexual Harassment On Transportation, Aiming To Address The Issue

The busiest railway station in the UK plans to provide passengers with a virtual reality (VR) encounter. The experience aims to assist them in identifying and confronting sexual harassment when using public transportation.

On Thursday, the British Transport Police and train companies will demonstrate how bystanders can safely interfere and report situations at London Waterloo. The process could be as simple as asking the victim to change seats or distracting the offender with a question.

Sexual Harassment on Public Transport

Britain’s rail industry commissioned a survey of 2,000 UK adults. The results indicated that 79% of them would feel relieved if someone intervened while they were being sexually harassed on public transport. Regarding sexual harassment, 35% of the survey respondents did not consider persistent questioning as a form of sexual harassment. Additionally, 21% also share the same bias about intrusive staring.

Opinium, a research company, conducted the survey in the summer of 2022.
The CEO of the Rail Delivery Group, Jacqueline Starr, representing train operators, affirmed the industry’s commitment to addressing all types of sexual harassment and making people feel safe in public transport.

Bystanders can do More

As a bystander, you can assist before police or rail staff get involved. You can report anything that makes you uneasy using the Railway Guardian app or by texting 61016. This applies whether you witness it or experience it.

Customers should feel safe on Britain’s railways and report harassment without fear. Reporting truly makes a difference, and it’s easy, safe, and secure to do so on public transportation. The railway authorities have urged the general public to help them help every individual on a public train.
Huw Merriman, the rail minister, said everyone must feel safe and secure while using public transportation. Regrettably, this study demonstrates that there is still much work to be done to accomplish this.

The British Transport Police and the Rail Delivery Group demonstrate through an innovative VR experience that small actions, such as alerting rail staff can create a safer railway for everyone. This initiative empowers passengers to speak up when they witness sexual harassment and abuse.

Featured image from TechCrunch.com