Women enduring torrent of assaults and abuse on Tube

The harrowing experiences of women facing daily harassment public transport have been laid bare by a damning report.

- MADELINE SHERRATT

Violent attacks on women more than doubled in the last two years, and more than a third of women were subjected to sexual harassment or sexual offences while commuting via train or Tube, according to data from the British Transport Police Authority.

Figures also revealed a surge from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023 of crimes against women and girls. Speaking to The Independent, three women shared their accounts of incidents of harassment and assault at the hands of men on public transport in the past two years.

Amelia, a 24-year-old tech consultant living in London, was assaulted on the Tube while on her way home from a work social event at around 10pm.

“There was one seat left on the carriage and unfortunately it was next to quite a dishevelled man who was surrounded by beer bottles,” she said. “I sat next to him because I didn’t want to be prejudiced and he was asleep. Suddenly, he grabbed me and put me into a headlock, pulling me towards his chest.

“I managed to break free. Thankfully, two guys in their twenties opposite me said I could sit between them for the rest of the journey – the man simply went back to sleep.”