Citation

Kash G. J. Transp. Health 2019; 13: 234-246.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jth.2019.04.004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This mixed-methods study uses surveys and interviews with transit users to document the prevalence and effects of transit sexual assault in two Latin American transit systems: Bogotá, Colombia's TransMilenio BRT and informal transit in El Alto, Bolivia. Transit sexual assault is common in both systems, but more prevalent in the overcrowded TransMilenio system; 37% of female TransMilenio users reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact while using transit. Transit users in general are found to respond to the risk of transit crime by engaging in defensive behaviors such as avoiding travel at certain times of day, traveling in groups, taking more expensive modes, or avoiding travel altogether. Transit sexual assault victims are more likely to engage in these behaviors, and also engage in victim-specific defensive behaviors: selecting defensible positions within a carriage, standing near "safe" people (typically other women), or using objects to shield themselves. These habitual behaviors allow some victims to regain a sense of safety on transit, but others continue to struggle with hypervigilance, anxiety, and other responses to sexual trauma. It is imperative to prevent future transit sexual assaults, but many women have already been assaulted, are already traumatized, and need additional help to recover freedom of movement. Crowding reduction, improved reporting, bystander intervention, and women-only carriages are discussed as potential tools for ensuring that public transit is safe and welcoming for people of all genders.

Keywords

Gender; Latin America; Mixed-methods; Public transit; Security; Trauma