New Campaign Urges Metro Bus, Train Riders To Report Sexual Harassment

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — In response to a survey that found that nearly a fourth of riders had experienced unwanted sexual behavior on buses and trains, Metro will introduce a public-information campaign aimed at combating such harassment.

The "It's Off Limits" campaign will encourage victims and witnesses to report sexual harassment to sheriff's officials using a hotline or a smartphone app.

The campaign will include advertisements on buses and trains and on transit video monitors. The ads will encourage people to report sexual harassment to the sheriff's (888) 950-SAFE (7233) hotline or by using the LA Metro Transit Watch safety app.

A ridership survey of 22,604 riders conducted by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and released in February found that 22 percent had been victims of unwanted sexual behavior, including touching, exposure or inappropriate comments in the previous six months.

Metro officials noted that its customer relations office and Sheriff's Department received just 99 complaints in 2014. Of the complaints, 62 were for unwanted touching and 31 people reported indecent exposure. The complaints resulted in 20 arrests.

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