France kicks off anti-sexual harassment campaign on transit system

PARIS — After a survey found that 100% of women who ride public transportation in Paris have experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault, including inappropriate touching, intimidating behavior, catcalling, wolf whistling or rape, the French government has made a promise to make buses and trains safer for women, takepart reported.

To help curb the behavior, awareness posters are being put up in subway cars, buses and stations informing offenders that they can be thrown in jail for five years or be fined more than $82,000 for harassing another citizen.

The government is also holding focus groups to help determine the stops on the Métro where riders feel most vulnerable to harassment. Officials will use that information to install additional lighting or boost the presence of law enforcement officers.

Additional plans include expanding night bus service so that women don’t have to walk as far by themselves and to set up a text message alert system to encourage other riders to report inappropriate behavior. For the full story, click here.