Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new campaign in cinemas and ITVX to encourage people to support those who experience hate crime and other forms of abuse on the London transport network. It launches during National Hate Crime Awareness Week (11-18 October), with a complementary campaign targeting perpetrators, and as TfL announces more free active bystander sessions for the public.
The safety of everyone who uses London’s transport network is an absolute priority and TfL continues to work closely with the police to keep customers safe, with a new taskforce launched last week focusing on tackling sexual offences and harassment, violence against women and girls (VAWG) and hate crime on the network. It has been created in response to the Mayor’s commitment to improving safety and confidence for all passengers, especially women and communities disproportionately affected by these issues.
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A new video campaign launches today at cinemas across London and on ITVX, encouraging people to be an active bystander and “act like a friend” to other passengers targeted by hate crime, sexual offences and harassment on London’s transport network, if they feel safe to do so. The video draws on three true stories of Londoners who have witnessed another passenger being targeted, and who have helped defuse the incident by engaging the targeted person in a conversation, as they would with a friend. Posters displayed on the TfL network from today also feature three other true bystander stories and the conversation starters that were used in these real incidents to show support to fellow passengers.
A complementary poster campaign targeting perpetrators also launches this week, with hard-hitting messaging focussing on the consequences of committing crime on the TfL network and how perpetrators are likely to be caught. The campaign is inspired by posters that have previously been displayed on the TfL network that focus on abuse by customers towards staff, with new posters now also featuring messaging around sexual offences and harassment, hate crime and fare evasion.
To mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week, TfL is also partnering with Protection Approaches, the national charity working to prevent all forms of identity-based violence, to deliver more active bystander training for the public, which are funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime’s (MOPAC’s) Shared Endeavour Fund. The 10 two-hour online sessions start on 22 October and finish on 1 December and aim to encourage people to take action to prevent or reduce harm when they encounter hate crime. Throughout the week TfL is also holding a series of events to raise awareness of hate crime, what it is and how to report it, at Edmonton and Stratford bus stations, Euston and Waterloo rail stations and London Bridge Underground station.
TfL Image – Sexual Offences have Consequences poster
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Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “No one should be a victim of hate crime or harassment in London or feel anxious or targeted because of who they are. TfL’s new campaign gives Londoners the knowledge and confidence to stand up to hate crime, address intolerant behaviours and safely challenge hateful narratives.
“City Hall is leading from the front and Sadiq has invested more than any other Mayor to tackle hate crime. We will always champion London’s diversity as our greatest strength and work to shape a city where people understand and respect one another. We will continue working in close partnership with our communities and the police to ensure everyone in the capital feels, and is, safe, building a safer London for everyone.”
