National Stalking Awareness Week is approaching and sexual attacks on women are on the increase as more are being reported. It is estimated that 5,500 alleged sex crimes were recorded in schools from 2012- 2015 via a FOI request by the BBC.
TFL recently produced an advertisement asking commuters; “would they notice the signs?” The ad informs people about what they need to do if they’re ever in a position where they feel they are a victim of sexual abuse.
Bus passenger Jamilah Lawrence in Holloway Road said: “Somebody once asked if I would be interested in dating them and I said no. I got verbally attacked, nobody said anything and I felt very uncomfortable for the rest of my journey”.
Organisations such as the Women’s Equality party are drumming up support and The End Violence Campaign informs women on issues such as sexual abuse, street harassment and sexual exploitation.
Their objectives are simple: equal representation, equal media treatment, equal pay and opportunities amongst others.
Public transport is a concern as it is becoming an increasingly popular hotspot for unsavoury behaviour. Women have often said they feel that unwanted sexual advances are not serious enough to report to police.
The London Centre for Personal Safety has been offering self-defence classes focused on prevention. Richard Chipping, safety officer for LCPS said: “Women should feel safe and live their lives fully”.
For 32 years, the training at the centre was free but that changed three years ago and now a two-day intensive course is available for women who feel they want to empower themselves physically and mentally.
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