Violent attacks against women on trains have increased by more than 50% since 2021

Violent attacks against women on trains have increased by more than 50%

Credit: Getty

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Violent attacks against women on trains have increased by more than 50% since 2021

By Amy Beecham

6 months ago

1 min read

According to the British Transport Police Authority’s 2024 annual report, instances of violence against women during rush hour are on the rise. 


Worrying data released by the British Transport Police has indicated that violent attacks against women on Britain’s railways have increased by more than 50% since 2021.

The number of crimes against women and girls rose from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023, according to figures from its annual report, which also found that most assaults occur during the evening rush hour when trains are packed and busy. Some 51% of female victims shared that other rail passengers had intervened to try to help, yet only one in five people who witnessed incidents of sexual harassment reported it to police.

The number of sexual offences that included leering, catcalling, touching, pressing, upskirting or indecent exposure jumped 10% over the same period, while sexual harassment reports doubled, the data first reported by The Times revealed.

The new report is just the latest to suggest that violence against women and girls (VAWG) is at an epidemic level in the UK. Recent research by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing found that there has been a 37% increase in recorded VAWG-related crimes from 2018/19 to 2022/23. The same report also estimated that at least one in every 12 women each year will be a victim of VAWG (2 million victims) and one in 20 adults in England and Wales each year will be a perpetrator of VAWG (accounting for 2.3 million perpetrators). 

Last year, a separate British Transport Police survey found that more than a third of all women travelling by rail had been assaulted during their commute.

The 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line can be reached for free by calling 0808 500 2222 or visiting the Rape Crisis England & Wales website. If you need emergency help, call 999.


Images: Getty

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