Green Party representatives in Berlin are pushing for transport associations to introduce women-only carriages during non-peak hours, amid rising cases of sexual violence on public transport.

Women-only carriages floated for Berlin public transport

In response to a rising number of reported cases of sexual assault on public transport, the Berlin Green Party has proposed that women-only carriages be introduced during non-peak hours.

There were nearly 400 incidents of sexual harassment and assault on public transport reported in 2023 in Berlin. Explaining the party’s proposal, Antje Kapek (Greens) drew attention to a recent case in which a woman was raped at Krumme Lanke U-Bahn station in southwestern Berlin.

The Greens suggest that women-only carriages, additional emergency call boxes on platforms, better lighting and more extensive video surveillance would reduce the number of assaults.

Berlin would not be the first city to introduce exclusive carriages, with Tokyo introducing the measure in the early 2000s. 2016 also saw women-only carriages introduced on regional trains between Leipzig and Chemnitz, to a mixed reaction. 

Critics of the policy argue such measures are an outmoded quick fix which puts the onus on women to avoid being sexually harassed and assaulted, rather than addressing and eradicating the deep-rooted misogyny which allows society to accept sexual harassment and violence as a part and parcel of women’s daily lives.

Sexual and homophobic violence on the rise city-wide

Not just on public transport but across the city, there has been a rise in the number of reported cases of sexual assault and harassment in Berlin. While 623 cases were reported in 2015, over 7.000 cases were reported in 2023. 

A recent report by Maneo, a Berlin-based, queer anti-violence organisation, found that the number of reported incidents of homophobia is also on the rise in the capital. In 2023, 1.014 cases of homophobic violence were reported, a 29 percent increase on the previous year.

Women, girls, trans*, inter*, and non-binary people who have experienced sexual violence in Berlin and would like advice, can contact the LARA Rape Crisis and Counselling Centre. Tauwetter and Volkssolidarität offer support for boys and men who have experienced sexual violence.

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