At MDOT MTA, we are on a mission to eliminate sexual harassment from our vehicles, stops and stations because we are committed to a safe, hassle-free transit experience for all our riders at all times.

Sexual harassment – any interaction in a public space that causes the victim to feel sexualized, intimidated, embarrassed, objectified, violated, attacked or unsafe – is improper anywhere. Examples of sexual harassment include cat-calling, leering, inappropriate touching, body rubbing, indecent exposure, and obscene gestures

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Actions and Tools You Can Use If You Are Experiencing Sexual Harassment

There's no place for sexual harassment on MDOT MTA vehicles or property. Here's what to do if you're being harassed:

  • If you are riding Local Bus notify the operator while on board and if you are riding Light Rail, notify the operator at the next stop
  • If you are riding Metro Subway, notify the station attendant at the next stop
  • Speak up about unwanted touching, comments and gestures.
Click here to report harassment

In addition to contacting MDOT MTA personnel, here are some additional tools and actions you can take:

  • If you are traveling alone, you can ride in the first car of the train close to the train operator cab door. This will make it easier to flag the operator if you need help.
  • Use your voice to let others know about what is going on.
  • Describe what is happening, be specific and ask a bystander to help you. For example, instead of just saying "stop," try "YOU – the person in the jeans and green shirt, get your hand off my thigh, I do not know you and I do not want you to touch me." Or engage a bystander "Hey, person with the black pants and blue button-down, can you call the operator? Can you switch seats with me?
  • Try the broken record technique – say the same thing over and over again until the person leaves. For example, have a good day, have a good day, have a good day, etc. until the harasser moves on.

The 3Ds - Steps You Can Take if You're Witnessing Sexual Harassment

The 3Ds stand for Distract, Delegate and Direct, and each is a unique approach. Always assess your safety first before you take any action to intervene. When speaking up about the harassment, be firm and clear.

Distract

Help with an indirect approach to shift the focus to something else and get the harasser to stop.

For example, if you see someone being harassed on the subway, start a conversation with them to change the focus and ignore the harasser. You can say something like, "Excuse me, do you know which station is closest to X street?" or "Wow, I love your dress! Where did you buy it?"

Delegate

Get help from someone else if you don't feel comfortable intervening yourself. This can be MDOT MTA personnel or other bystanders. You should address a specific person when asking for help rather than a group.

Direct

Address disrespectful behaviour when it happens. There are three ways to do this:

  • Name the behaviour – "You're being creepy!"
  • Name what you observe – "She looks uncomfortable. Why don't you leave her alone?"
  • Ask a question to give the harasser a chance to understand their unacceptable behavior and self-correct - "Do you realize you've been staring at her for 10 minutes?"