Request ID: FOI-0398-2223 Date published: 10 June 2022
You asked
Under the Freedom of Information act, I am requesting the following information in relation to the TFL campaign to stamp out sexual harrasment on public transport:
1. The number of texts reporting sexual offences to 61016, for the period October 27 2021 - April 27 2022, broken down by category of offence, broken down by behavior categories 1. Catcalling 2. Exposing 3. Cyber-flashing 4. Pressing 5. Touching 6. Staring.
2. The number of phone calls to gather further information in response to texts reporting sexual offences to 61016, for the period October 27 2021 - April 27 2022, broken down by category of offence, broken down by behavior categories 1. Catcalling 2. Exposing 3. Cyber-flashing 4. Pressing 5. Touching 6. Staring.
3. The number of arrests in relation to texts reporting sexual offences to 61016, for the period October 27 2021 - April 27 2022, broken down by category of offence, broken down by behavior categories 1. Catcalling 2. Exposing 3. Cyber-flashing 4. Pressing 5. Touching 6. Staring.
4. The number of prosecutions in relation to texts reporting sexual offences to 61016, for the period October 27 2021 - April 27 2022, broken down by category of offence, broken down by behavior categories 1. Catcalling 2. Exposing 3. Cyber-flashing 4. Pressing 5. Touching 6. Staring.
5. The number of convictions in relation to texts reporting sexual offences to 61016, for the period October 27 2021 - April 27 2022, broken down by category of offence, broken down by behavior categories 1. Catcalling 2. Exposing 3. Cyber-flashing 4. Pressing 5. Touching 6. Staring.
If possible, could you also please answer questions 1-5 where reports of sexual offences were made online instead of via texts to 61016.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0398-2223
Thank you for your request received on 23 May 2022 asking for information about the TfL campaign to stamp out sexual harassment on the network.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
We do not hold the information you have requested, this is held by the British Transport Police. Please contact them directly for this information:
Transport for London (TfL), in partnership with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), British Transport Police (BTP), Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and women’s safety groups, launched the campaign to tackle sexual harassment on the transport network in October 2021. The campaign highlights various forms of unwanted sexual behaviour that can take place on public transport and aims to send a strong message to offenders that sexual harassment is not tolerated on TfL’s services. The campaign was informed by research, including focus groups, and the expertise of violence against women and girls (VAWG) campaign groups and the policing sector.
By raising awareness of these issues, TfL hopes to encourage Londoners to look out for and support each other, and to engage bystanders to speak up so that perpetrators can be held accountable for their actions. This could involve people learning to recognise the signs of sexual harassment, providing support to the person who is being harassed or reporting the incident. Sexual harassment does not only affect those who are directly targeted - it can affect how safe all women and girls feel when travelling. A Centre for London survey from 2019 found that women were nearly twice as likely as men to mention personal safety as a barrier to walking and using public transport. Research also shows that nearly half of those who experience sexual harassment do not tell anyone. The campaign encourages customers and staff who experience or witness this behaviour to report it, which helps TfL and the police to put the right interventions in place to stop it happening again and bring offenders to justice. The campaign builds on efforts by TfL and police to tackle unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport through Project Guardian and the award-winning Report it to Stop it communications campaigns - both of which aimed to improve reporting levels and to create an environment on the network that does not tolerate intimidation and sexual harassment. The new campaign posters form part of a joined-up national approach to addressing sexual harassment, featuring a consistent message across TfL's network and the national rail network. The campaign also includes magazine and newspaper advertising, editorial partnerships, and other communications. The materials, which appear on buses and trains and at stops and stations, help educate passengers about how to report incidents, encouraging them to do so wherever possible on the bus network at met.police.uk or, for all other TfL services, to text the British Transport Police on 61016. Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers, and should always call 999 in an emergency.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
