Supporting each other
What can I do if I see this happening?
Most of us think it’s right to call out this type of behaviour, and 72% of our passengers said they would intervene in some way if they saw sexual harassment happening on the railway. However, our research has shown that certain forms of sexual harassment in public spaces have become ‘normal’. This is unacceptable and we want this to change. To do this, we need your help.
It can be hard to see sexual harassment, even when it’s happening in front of us. People who choose to sexually harass can intentionally make it difficult for others to know what is happening, and even if you do recognise that someone is being sexually harassed it can be hard to know how to intervene safely, or whether someone actually wants you to intervene. But there are ways we can all support each other, including:
- Offering help to the person targeted and checking in to see if they are okay.
- Alerting a member of rail staff.
- Asking a fellow passenger for help.
- Reporting the incident to BTP.
- Passing information about the person who is harassing someone anonymously to independent charity CrimeStoppers.
You can find more information and tips about being an active bystander in different types of public settings below:
- Stand Up: Let’s fight against street harassment (by L’Oreal Paris with Hollaback)
- Could you be an active bystander? (by Good Night Out Campaign)
Support for me
This happened to me, what can I do?
Our network takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of sexual harassment on our trains and stations. You should have never experienced this on our network, and we will do everything we can to ensure it does not happen again to you or to anyone else.
Your safety is our priority. We know that the impacts of sexual harassment compound and accumulate, meaning that all forms are serious and harmful. If you need support or would like to speak to someone in confidence about what happened there are a range of specialist services available, including:
The umbrella body for the network of independent, autonomous Rape Crisis Centres in England and Wales.
Their member Centres provide specialist support and services for victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including sexual harassment.
The umbrella body for the network of independent, autonomous Rape Crisis Centres in Scotland.
Their member Centres provide specialist support and services for victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including sexual harassment.
Provides confidential and independent advice and support for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse, including sexual assault, hate crime and domestic violence.
Has 124 member organisations based in the UK & Ireland which provide specialist support for women, men & children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
Provides support services to male and non-binary victims and survivors of sexual violence.
Provides campaign, education, and support services relating to stalking.
Ran by Welsh Women’s Aid and provides help and advice about violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
A Network of organisations working with male victims/survivors of sexual violence.
You can find your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) by entering your postcode into the NHS Rape and Sexual Assault webpage. SARC's can help you with medical and forensic examinations and care following experiences of sexual violence.
If you’d like to report what happened to you, you can contact BTP at any time. BTP is committed to ensuring those who experience sexual harassment receive a consistent and supportive service.
Each report helps BTP to build a picture of this unacceptable behaviour. Anything that has made you feel uncomfortable is worth reporting. BTP will always take you seriously.