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1 in 5 riders face unwanted sexual behavior on L.A. Metro, survey says

As part of a semi-annual customer review, the agency asked more than 22,000 bus and rail passengers if they had experienced "unwanted sexual behavior including, but not limited to, touching, exposure, or inappropriate comments" over a six-month period.

February 20, 2015
1 in 5 riders face unwanted sexual behavior on L.A. Metro, survey says

Photo: Malcolm K. via Flickr

1 min to read


Photo: Malcolm K. via Flickr

LOS ANGELES — More than one in five Metro passengers were subjected to unwanted sexual advances or behavior while riding Metro trains and buses in Los Angeles County during the first half of 2014, according to a new survey, the Los Angeles Times reported.

As part of a semi-annual customer review, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority asked more than 22,000 bus and rail passengers if they had experienced "unwanted sexual behavior including, but not limited to, touching, exposure, or inappropriate comments" over a six-month period. About 22% of passengers, or 4,850 people, said yes, according to the report.

"We don't think this is acceptable," Metro spokesman Paul Gonzales told The Times.

One point of concern, officials said, is the relatively low number of police reports compared to the number of passengers who say they experienced harassment, The Times reported.

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