Sexual Harassment on Public Transport (Essay 1)

One of the good changes in our society during these past few years has been a beginning of an open conversation about sexual harassment. Women all around the world are now encouraged to step forward and speak about their experiences of sexual harassment whether it is in a workplace, public transport or any other public place. Although the situation in workplaces has become better, sexual harassment on public transport is still present.

In the article "Which city is the worst for sexual harassment on public transport?"  (Accessed: 10.12.2019) Kate Wills talks about the situation around the globe. She tells how certain countries try to prevent act of sexual harassment on public transport. For example, she says that in London there are special covert patrols of officers that board the subway to catch the predators. The presence of these patrols is especially important now due to the fact that reports of sexual harassment on the London underground have increased by 42% during past 4 years. Sadly, it's a common problem on public transport all around the globe.

Cities like Tokyo, Delhi and Rio de Janeiro uses women-only carriages as their way of preventing sexual harassment on public transport. However, this prevention tool is met with critisism. Some people say that this is a step backwards. Rather than giving women a chance to have normal safe daily life, it encourages them to change their behaviour, gives an idea that they are the problem, but not the predators. In my opinion, when it comes to sexual harassment, it is crucial not to blame the victims, to give them voice and a chance to share their story.

Unfortunately, even now victim-blaming is present, especially in Russia. People would rather blame a girl, say that her clothes were too inappropriate, make-up was too vulgar, than admit that she was a victim and a predator must to be punished. Not only doesn't victim-blaming help to solve the problem, it actually makes the situation even worse. Additionaly, it's not always easy to notice victim-blaming and argue with it. For example, when we teach young girls to come home early and avoid strangers, we make it their responsibility to prevent the assault. Thus, if the girl faces sexual assault, it is her fault, she has done something wrong, hasn't followed the rules. To my mind, it's unacceptable.

The situation has to be changed. Of course, it is important to have different prevention-tools that do not allow predators to act. However, I think that we have to change the way of people's thinking. We have to start teaching people to respect others, their personal boundaries, their bodies. The feeling of unsafety has to stop being a part of daily routine for women all around the world.