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.
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.
Across countries, social borders, faiths, genders, ethnicities, age groups, sexual harassment seems to crop up when the opportunity presents itself.
Even if it wasn’t commonplace, ads like this keep us vigilant and (assuming they can read) should deter the predatory types.
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.
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?
