Wednesday, 13 November
Sexual violence on public transport: Berlin Greens propose women-only carriages
In response to growing sexual violence in Berlin, which last year saw nearly 400 reported incidents on public transit, Berlin’s Green Party is pushing for subway cars reserved exclusively for women during non-peak hours. Antje Kapek, the party’s transit policy spokesperson, proposed that women-only carriages be placed directly behind or at the end of trains, shadowing a successful model implemented in Tokyo.
Additionally, the Greens are calling for clearly marked zones on platforms with emergency call boxes and enhanced video surveillance. This proposal follows statistics from the Berlin police displaying a steady rise in reported sexual offenses city-wide, with over 7,000 incidents reported last year, and almost 400 offences on Berlin’s public transport. A recent incident, a reported rape at Krumme Lanke station, has intensified calls for new protective measures for women.
Berlin’s Green Party believes that, alongside reserved carriages, increasing security through better lighting, emergency intercoms, and rapid police response capabilities will help curb the alarming rise in sexual violence.
