Reports of sexual assaults and harassment on trains across England, Scotland, and Wales have increased by 37% since 2015, according to data obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request to British Transport Police.
Last year alone, 2,661 incidents were reported, with about 10% involving children, some younger than 13 years old.
The rise in reported cases has raised concerns among police and advocacy groups, highlighting ongoing issues of safety and underreporting on the rail network.
Victims like 18-year-old Rhiannon Williams have shared their experiences of harassment on trains, describing feelings of being trapped and intimidated.
Rhiannon was harassed by a group of drunken men on a train in west Wales after a day out, an incident currently under investigation by British Transport Police.
Such accounts underscore the normalization of sexual harassment and the societal attitudes that contribute to women feeling unsafe in public transport environments.
Sexual offences on trains encompass a range of behaviors including rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, which can involve inappropriate staring, catcalling, or physical contact.
Despite the increase in reports, police believe many incidents remain unreported due to fear or shock, as illustrated by Maddie Waktare’s experience of sexual assault on a busy train from London Waterloo.
The difficulty in identifying suspects is significant, with detectives unable to identify perpetrators in about half of the 22,100 reports over the past decade.
The British Transport Police have responded by increasing intelligence-led operations, including the deployment of plain clothes officers to patrol stations and platforms, targeting individuals who may pose a threat to vulnerable passengers.
The UK government has pledged £17 million to improve access to station CCTV to aid in quicker identification and prosecution of offenders.
Train operators have expressed zero tolerance for sexual harassment, emphasizing the seriousness with which allegations are treated.
High-profile cases, such as the conviction and seven-year imprisonment of train conductor Nicholas McMurray for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old passenger, highlight the abuse of trust within the rail network.
Sexual offences involving children have tripled over the past decade, with over 2,900 reports involving minors.
Authorities urge anyone experiencing or witnessing sexual offences on trains to report incidents promptly.
The Rail Delivery Group and British Transport Police continue to work towards making the railway network safer, stressing that no one should feel uncomfortable or unsafe during their journey.