Recent data from the British Transport Police reveals a staggering increase in violent attacks against women on British railways, with incidents rising from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023.

This represents an increase of over 50% in violent attacks on female train passengers within just two years, highlighting a troubling trend in safety on public transport.

In response to this alarming rise, the British Transport Police has launched a new anti-sexual harassment campaign aimed at educating passengers on how to recognize and report harassment.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell emphasized the importance of community vigilance, urging passengers to look out for one another and report any suspicious behavior.

Reports of sexual offences have also increased by 10% during this period, with incidents of sexual harassment doubling, indicating a broader issue of violence against women.

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding, has called the situation 'unacceptable,' stressing that women should not have to plan their journeys around safety concerns.

Critics like Dame Vera Baird KC have pointed to systemic failures in the criminal justice system, including low prosecution rates and long wait times, which discourage victims from reporting incidents.

Violent crimes against women and girls in England and Wales have surged by nearly 40% in recent years, prompting police chiefs to label the situation a 'national emergency.'

To aid in reporting, the British Transport Police has introduced the Railway Guardian app for anonymous crime reporting, alongside a text service for incident reports.

The grim reality is that, on average, a woman has been killed by a man in the UK every three days, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive societal change.

Campaigns like Counting Dead Women and the Killed Women Count project aim to raise awareness about the severity of men's violence against women, emphasizing that these incidents are part of a larger societal issue.