About the research
There is still limited research taking place about sexual harassment on public transport in many parts of the world, including the UK (Lewis et al, 2020), despite the fact that public transport has been described as a ‘breeding-ground’ for gender-based harassment (Bastomski and Smith, 2016).
The purpose of the research is to provide unique knowledge of sexual harassment on public transport in the North east of England. It will highlight the role of public spaces, and the responsibility of transport services and law enforcement, to ensure cities are safe and efficient (Madan and Nalla, 2016).
Findings will be shared to raise awareness and promote social change within the local community in and around the North East.
This research is funded by ESRC, through NINE DTP. The project is based at Durham University, in collaboration with Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.
The research process
Stage One: Online survey
The first stage is an online survey. The survey will hope to collect data on; local transport usage, incidents of harassment, bystander intervention, reporting/not reporting, and feelings of safety. This is voluntary and data will be anonymised.
Stage Two: Workshops
The second stage is workshops with those who've experienced sexual harassment and would like to chat in more detail about their experiences (you do not need to have completed the survey to take part). Participants don't have to talk about personal experiences if they don't feel comfortable, the sessions will include discussing case studies, news articles, and survey results.This stage of the research is to gather more detail and depth than a survey can collect. Participation is voluntary.
Why is the research needed?
of women and girls in India reported experiencing at least 1 sexual violation in public spaces
(Lea et al, 2017)
two out of three women in bRAZIL declared being victims of sexual violence while in transit
(UN Women, 2017)
Sexual harassment is never ok, no matter who it happens to. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone.
Sexual Harassment is often a daily occurrence for many women around the world. And lots of women experience harassment in different ways.
Sexual harassment happens in lots of public spaces (shops, restaurants, bars, museums, social media - anywhere!). But public transport provides a specific environment for perpetration.
Despite it being a widespread problem, not enough research is being done to investigate and tackle harassment. This project wants to understand the nature, extent and impact of harassment on public transport by listening directly the the people who have experienced it.
one-third of young women travelling in Chennai city experienced sexual harassment in the last 6 months (Valan, 2020)
To read more about global research visit our interactive map!
wHAT DO WE MEAN BY SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
Sexual harassment incorporates a diverse range of acts and behaviours which can be non-verbal, verbal or physical. iT OFTEN HAPPENS IN PUBLIC SPACES BETWEEN STRANGERS, BUT CAN INCLUDE PEOPLE YOU KNOW.
sEXUAL HARASSMENT MAY include (but IS not limited to) BEHAVIOURS LIKE:
- Sexual remarks
- Sexual noises
- Unwanted or prolonged eye contact
- Sexual teasing/joking
- Sexual gestures
- catcalling
- Public exposure/flashing (a person showing their genitals/sexual organs in public)
- Forced to view/hear pornography or pornographic content
- Cyberflashing (sent unwanted sexual images via technology e.g through AirDrop)
- Being followed/stalked
- Touching
- Groping
These behaviours can be widely understood as intrusions into your personal space.
Harassment is never ok!
Research documentation
Here you will find all the documentation needed for the project! Click the icon for the relevant document/information.
Visit our Google Drive to get access to all relevant participant documents.
these include; participant information sheets (which you will need to read before taking part), a consent form for workshops (which you will need to read and sign if participating), as well as project posters (feel free to share these around your communities)! Click the relevant folder.
Visit Durham University's Privacy Notice.
Read this to understand how your data will be used and stored. data storagespecific to the project is on your Participant Information sheet.
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follow us if you want to see more bits from the project. This is not essential for taking part in the research.
Prefer to listen to information?
Visit our Youtube channel for dictations of our documents.
Need support?
Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland – A local service providing support and help to women and girls (13+) (inc non-binary) who have experienced sexual; violence at any point in their lives. They offer a variety of service including; helpline, email support, counselling, practical and emotional support, and groupwork. Visit https://rctn.org.uk/get-help/ for more information.
Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (Durham and Darlington) - RSACC offers free confidential counselling and support to survivors who have experienced any form of sexual violence. They offer an emotional support line and email support service, and ISVA support. For more information visit https://www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk.
Rape Crisis England and Wales – A national charity providing specialist information and support to those who have experienced sexual violence. They have a 24/7 free helpline. Visit https://rapecrisis.org.uk for more information.
Need support?
The Angelou Centre - The Angelou Centre is a local specialist organisation that offers a range of holistic women-only* services for Black and Minoritised women across the North-East. They offer advocacy, information and advice; training; social/recreational activities and events; accommodation and counselling and therapeutic support. For more information, visit https://angelou-centre.org.uk.
IMKAAN – A Black feminist women’s organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and Minoritised women and girls. They offer a range of support, and training services for those who’ve experienced violence. Visit https://www.imkaan.org.uk/ for more information.
Galop – A national LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity, providing advice, support, and advocacy to LGBTQ+ people who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, and other forms of abuse. Visit https://galop.org.uk for more information.
Survivors Uk – Founded in 1986 Survivors UK provides a national online helpline, individual and group counselling for boys, men and non-binary people aged 13+ who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. Visit https://www.survivorsuk.org for more information.
References and evidence
Bastomski, S. and Smith, P. (2016). Gender, Fear, and Public Places: How Negative Encounters with Strangers Harm Women. Sex Roles, 76(1-2), pp.73-88.
Madan, M. and Nalla, M., (2016). Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces. International Criminal Justice Review, 26(2), pp.80-97.
Lea, S., D’Silva, E. and Asok, A. (2017). Women’s strategies addressing sexual harassment and assault on public buses: an analysis of crowdsourced data. Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 19(3-4), pp.227-239.
Lewis, S., Saukko, P. and Lumsden, K., (2020). Rhythms, sociabilities and transience of sexual harassment in transport: mobilities perspectives of the London underground. Gender, Place & Culture, 28(2), pp.1-22.
Madan, M. and Nalla, M., (2016). Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces. International Criminal Justice Review, 26(2), pp.80-97.
Valan, M. L. (2020). Victimology of Sexual Harassment on Public Transportation: Evidence from India. Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice, 3(1), 24–37.
UN Women, (2017), Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces: Global Results Report. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2017/10/safe-cities-and-safe-public-spaces-global-results-report.
