I’d much rather see this than any of the commercial adverts.
It is useful information too. Most people won’t interrupt or help, and partly because they are not sure how. I saw this recently and it did make me think, if I did see something happening I have a better idea of how I can help.
It also creates an environment where you cannot justify not acting because you don’t think you can help, and that we as a society are saying it is not acceptable. If one person challenges harassment that would not have done so before seeing that, I’d count it as a success.
Stuff like this helps pull people out of the bystander effect which is what you’re describing. It gives everyone a call to action, either actively asking a question or silently reporting it, which is pretty rad.
Across countries, social borders, faiths, genders, ethnicities, age groups, sexual harassment seems to crop up when the opportunity presents itself.
Yes. How the fuck is this even a question?
Also, they’re not saying “Oi, step in if you see someone being harassed on this train but anywhere else, feel free to cheer the offender on as normal.” TFL just have better leadership than the country does, so they’re running the campaign.
I first got harassed on public transport when I was 11. For years getting on public transport involved being hyper vigilant and trying to hide. And it’s fucking exhausting. I shouldn’t have to be relieved that I’m too old to harass, and really it’s no relief because it just means they’re harassing someone else.
Even if it wasn’t commonplace, ads like this keep us vigilant and (assuming they can read) should deter the predatory types.
Probably yes, but also these “stop crime” ads make people more afraid and make the police state worse. Especially “see it, say it, sorted” gives me the creeps
“stop crime” ads make people more afraid and make the police state worse
Can you explain this for me?
Counterquestion: How much sexual harrasment do you think is ok before these kinds of ads are justified?
And another one: What would you replace these ads with?
What would you replace these ads with?
Art
Distract with a discharge of bear spray to their face.
You may be surprised to learn that pepper spray or varieties thereof are classified as firearms in the UK under section 5 of the 1968 act and possession of such has a sentence of upto 10 years.
That’s crazy! You can buy pepper or bear spray over the counter here. No special anything required. 10 years for a non lethal form of self defense that causes no permanent harm seems ridiculously excessive.
Edit: you guys can’t carry pocket knives either. Right?
You can carry a folding blade if its 3" or less. Anything else must have a reasonable explanation e.g. I am chef commuting to work.
Oh, at least that’s a reasonable regulation for the knives. I had heard that no pocket knives were allowed. What’s the justification for the pepper spray?
A knife has a utility beyond inflicting harm on others, pepper sprays have only that use.
Pepper spray is useful for self defense though, and doesn’t cause any permanent harm. Is punching someone who is robbing you also illegal?
Deaths from asphyxiation related to pepper spray. Are far from unknown. And while odds are other health conditions are involved in most past cases. Those deaths are why it has been banned here.
We are def what the US would call a nanny state. But most are fine with this to the greater extent.
And self defence in the UK stops at the idea of going prepared. UK laws do not allow anything that is intended as a weapon to be carried. So no punching someone in the process of robbing you is fine. Only if you feel at threat of physical harm. If you are a 6ft muscled man and cought an 80yo tiny pick pocket taking your wallet. And punched him. The police would arrest you both. In fact in most situations where you attacked someone robbing you. You should expect to have to show you felt at threat. Not uncommonly in court. Depending on the result of your attack.
Punching someone with a knuckle duster would mean your were preparing for a fight when you decided to take it with you. So illegal. And attacking someone running away after robbing you would be a crime.