You Have the Right to be Safe on Public Transit
At Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), we don’t believe that sexual harassment is an unavoidable part of a woman’s daily commute. We believe that women must be able to move about and occupy the public space without being placed in danger or threatened. It’s a fundamental freedom. Safe public transit for women and girls is about recognizing our experiences and needs.
Today, July 6 2018, BWSS once again joined the Metro Vancouver Transit Police in an effort to raise awareness and safety as a part of their anti-sexual harassment campaign.
The initiative is designed to bring awareness, and encourages riders to take action when witnessing sexual harassment and assault. The campaign will encourage witnesses on transit to make the decision to become active bystanders and by doing so, sending the message that the behavior is unacceptable and those who are victimized are not alone.
Over the years we have started and participated in various initiatives to increase awareness to move towards safer public transit.
Compass Card Safety Resource
BWSS shared our concerns about the compass card transit system and the risks it poses to women in abusive relationships several times since the system came into effect. In response BWSS created a Compass Card Safety Resource to provide the necessary information and resources to inform women of the potential risks the compass card system poses to their safety and how they can protect themselves while using this system.
On April 5, 2016 BWSS was at Broadway and Commercial skytrain station handing out the resource.
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
On Tuesday, November 29, 2016 after four years in the making, Metro Vancouver will now have an important tool in the effort to end sexual harassment and assault on public transportation. The BWSS team represented, at a press conference with Metro Vancouver Transit Police Chief Doug LePard, introducing a poster designed to combat sexual violence on Metro Vancouver Transit system.
BWSS created a resource on what to do if someone is being sexually harassed on transit which we shared at the press conference. Download the resource here.
