According to Hollaback Vancouver, 58% of women surveyed indicate they don’t feel safe on transit.
Since 2012, BWSS has been advocating for sexual assault prevention with Translink for this day and we recognize this is a first step toward shifting the culture on public transportation in Metro Vancouver, where women and girls can travel the city, to get to work, to get to school to do their everyday tasks with an increased sense of safety.
BWSS has partnered with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Translink, Crime Stoppers, and B.C. Women’s Hospital as a part of an anti-sexual harassment campaign on public transit.
The initiative is designed to bring awareness, and encourages riders to take action when witnessing sexual harassment and assault.
“Sexual harassment and assault public awareness campaigns are necessary actions against silence and ignorance”, says Angela Marie MacDougall, Executive Director at BWSS, “Helping to create an environment where those that would perpetrate could no longer be guaranteed they could assault women and girls with impunity”.
Keep your eyes peeled for posters over the summer while taking public transportation throughout Metro Vancouver.
For victims and survivors of sexual assault who need support, we are here for you.
Call us at 604.687.1867 or toll-free at 1-855-687-1868 24 hours a day. If you’re unable to speak safely, please email intake@bwss.org.
