A recent study conducted by researchers at Monash University has uncovered a significant connection between women’s past experiences of harassment and their feelings of safety while using public transport. The research, titled Women’s Perceived Precautionary Safety on Public Transit: A Life Course Perspective on Harassment Experiences, Anxiety, and Coping Behaviour, surveyed 528 women who regularly use rail services in Melbourne. The findings suggest that previous harassment profoundly influences women’s perceived safety and anxiety during transit.
Impact of Harassment on Safety Perceptions
The study revealed that both verbal and physical harassment play critical roles in shaping women’s travel behaviours and feelings of safety. Women reported adopting various precautionary measures, such as altering travel routes, avoiding travel after dark, or opting for different modes of transport altogether. According to Dr Rumana Sarker, a Research Fellow at the Public Transport Research Group, the prevalence of verbal harassment was notably higher than that of physical incidents. Dr Sarker stated, “Our findings showed that verbal harassment was found to be more common than physical harassment, often triggering greater precautionary behaviour.”
Despite the higher frequency of verbal harassment, the research indicated that physical assaults tend to have a more profound negative impact on women’s perceptions of safety. Dr Sarker noted that these experiences often leave deeper, lasting effects on mental well-being, even when women take measures to protect themselves.
Long-Term Effects of Adolescent Harassment
The study also highlighted the enduring effects of harassment experienced during adolescence, finding that such experiences significantly impacted women’s perceptions of safety into adulthood. Women who reported harassment on public transport before the age of 18 were more inclined to experience anxiety, avoid specific transit routes, and reduce their overall use of rail services later in life.
Furthermore, the research identified that women from culturally diverse backgrounds, those who travel infrequently after dark, and particularly tram users reported lower levels of perceived safety. Dr Sarker emphasized the emotional toll of harassment, stating, “Personal safety isn’t just a feeling; it shapes almost every travel decision women make.”
These findings emphasize the necessity for trauma-informed safety planning in public transport design and policy. Efforts to enhance safety must extend beyond infrastructural improvements to encompass education, robust reporting systems, and community awareness initiatives that acknowledge the long-term impact of harassment.
Supported by the Monash Advancing Women’s Success Grant (2024) and the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and transport authorities. The goal is to create safer and more inclusive transit environments for women and gender-diverse passengers.
For further details, the research paper is accessible at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2025.103415.
