L.A. Metro enhances reporting, tracking of sexual harassment

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) has implemented several improvements to better support victims of sexual harassment on the bus and rail system.

Victims are encouraged to first call 888-950-7233 or text 213-788-2777 to report sexual harassment incidences.

Marketing began to promote the new sexual harassment message on the system earlier this month. L.A. Metro’s law enforcement agency partners — which include the Los Angeles Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, Long Beach Police Department, Metro Transit Security and private security — will be responding to sexual harassment incidents as a high priority. Victims are also encouraged to report incidents in person to a law enforcement officer or to security personnel when possible.

All victims are strongly encouraged to report all incidents as soon as they occur. Doing so will greatly improve L.A. Metro’s ability to document and identify offenders.

If the victim’s report indicates the harassment raised to the level of a prosecutable crime, law enforcement will arrest the suspect or complete a crime report.

According to the Fall 2019 customer satisfaction survey conducted by L.A. Metro, 22 percent of respondents reported personally experiencing sexual harassment in the previous six-month period. L.A. Metro says it understands it needs to reduce these numbers to retain current riders and attract new riders.

Even if it doesn’t appear the harassment could be prosecuted or lead to an arrest, L.A. Metro says law enforcement will still document the incident on the same mobile phones that are used to validate fares. That will allow information to be sent to each policing agency to help identify trends or even suspects.

Victims of sexual harassment while on L.A. Metro who call the numbers will receive a referral to L.A. Metro’s “It’s Off Limits” 24/7 sexual harassment support hotline where they can receive counseling support. In the past, victims have been directed to reach out for counseling services. L.A. Metro is now emphasizing where possible to work with law enforcement prior to seeking counseling support. Ideally, this will reduce confusion for the victim and allow law enforcement and security personnel to reduce sexual harassment incidents.

L.A. Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement Department has enhanced their community policing model, requiring all law enforcement officers to take sensitivity training. Officers have received specialized training on how to meet the needs of riders who are victims of sexual harassment while on L.A. Metro’s system by providing support, reassurance, patience, documentation of offenses and providing victims referrals to counseling, if necessary. The agency says it understands that victims of sexual harassment on the system need to feel their concerns and experiences are legitimate, that the incident was not their fault and that L.A. Metro will listen and take action.

The agency’s enhanced sensitivity training is the direct result of recommendations from L.A. Metro’s Women and Girls Governing Council and supported by findings from L.A. Metro’s “Understanding How Women Travel” report issued last year. The report showed that safety and security is one reason that many women are reluctant to ride L.A. Metro.