Government and rail industry say ‘Enough’ to sexual harassment

Sexual harassment on public transport will be tackled as part of a new campaign to drive up reporting of harassment on trains and support victims.

The campaign challenges behaviours such as staring, intrusive questions and unwelcome comments, and backs passengers to report incidents to the British Transport Police (BTP).

Launched under the government's ongoing, flagship Enough campaign, the new partnership with key rail organisations seeks to send a clear message that sexual harassment on trains and at stations will not be tolerated.

Bold, action‑focused messaging will be rolled out across posters and digital screens, clearly signposting how to get help - whether by texting BTP, speaking to rail staff, or by reporting online.

Developed alongside the Department for Transport, Network Rail, the Rail Delivery Group and BTP, the campaign puts women's safety at the forefront of the rail network. It will run across stations, in carriages and online, backing passengers to report abuse and ensuring it is taken seriously.

In another major step forward for rail safety, the Department for Transport and BTP are launching the national Safer Railway Scheme, meaning that, for the first time, train operators will be expected to show what they are doing to prevent harassment, support victims and train staff to respond properly.

Launching today, the Safer Railway Scheme recognises rail companies that meet clear safety standards - from tackling crime and responding to victims, to creating environments where staff are empowered to report abuse - putting the safety of women and girls at the heart of how the rail network operates.

Operators are independently assessed by the British Transport Police against 8 clear standards - including how they support victims, protect vulnerable passengers, train staff, and prevent crime and harassment. To be accredited, they must meet a minimum standard, scoring at least 70% overall.

This action follows the Public Sexual Harassment Act which makes intentional, sex-based harassment in public a criminal offence. That means perpetrators can now face a criminal record, fines, and even up to 2 years in prison, as the government drives forward with the most ambitious set of reforms in tackling these issues in decades.

This all forms a key part of the government's pioneering Violence against Women and Girls Strategy which deploys the full power of the state to halve this issue in a decade.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls Natalie Fleet said:

I know what it is like to experience this kind of behaviour - the fear, the anger, and the way it changes how you move through the world. Too many women carry this every day, including on their journeys to work or home.

By working with the rail sector through the Enough campaign - from stations and platforms to digital channels - we are using every opportunity to challenge abuse and make public transport safer for women and girls.

But we will not stop there. We will deploy the full power of the state to make this country safe for women and girls.

Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said:

Everyone deserves to feel safe when they travel, yet too many women and girls still experience behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable. That is simply not acceptable.

The Safer Railway Scheme is a major step forward in setting clear expectations for train operators to prevent harassment and take strong action when incidents do happen - so women and girls can travel with confidence and peace of mind.

Peter Gibbons, Chief Security Officer at Network Rail, said:

Sexual harassment has no place in society, and that includes on our trains or anywhere in our stations - that's why we're proud to be part of the Enough campaign. We are already working with British Transport Police and the rest of the rail industry to expand CCTV coverage, give police real-time access to footage, and make it easier for passengers to report incidents. But there is still more to do.

As an industry, we have committed to clear, measurable action to protect women and girls across the whole rail network. From ensuring our staff are properly trained to recognise and respond to harassment, to working with partners to target the locations where these incidents have historically happened, we want the safest possible railway that works for everyone.

Issy Warren, Director of Programmes at Our Streets Now, said:

Unwanted sexual behaviour, comments and advances is an everyday experience for millions of women and girls up and down the UK.

Public sexual harassment restricts our ability to travel safely and confidently and all too often, the behaviour goes unchallenged and unreported.

We are pleased that the Public Sexual Harassment Act we campaigned for has led to this duty for train operators to prevent harassment under the Safer Railway Scheme.

Public sexual harassment should never be dismissed as a normal part of growing up in the UK.

Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Catherine Atkinson said:

No one should live in fear of violence or harassment, at any time, but especially when they're simply trying to get from A to B.

This government has taken decisive action to tackle violence against women and girls, from strengthening laws and boosting support for victims, to launching the Enough campaign to change attitudes and behaviours across society.

Today's changes are a crucial stepping stone to halving violence against women and girls in a decade.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group, said:

The expansion of the Enough campaign is a welcome and important step in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that enable violence against women and girls. We're proud to have supported the development of this campaign, and we remain committed to its continued impact across the network.

Alongside this, the Safer Railway Scheme sets a clear ambition for all train operators to meet recognised standards that improve passenger confidence and reduce both crime and the fear of crime. Everyone has the right to travel and work without fear. The rail industry will continue to work closely with government and British Transport Police to deepen awareness, strengthen reporting and embed safeguarding across the rail network.

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle said:

We simply will not tolerate sexual harassment on the railway network, and stamping out this unacceptable behaviour relies on us all working closely together to ensure that stations and trains are a safe place for everyone.

Our officers are out 24/7 across the railway network, but we need to know exactly what's going on so we can take action.

Save 61016 in your phone and text us if you ever need us. It's free and discreet, and every report helps us to build a picture. Enough is enough.