WASHINGTON, DC (October 26, 2021) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation calls for Congress to pass the “Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation” Act (H.R. 5706), in order to improve safety for passengers on public transportation, as introduced by U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chairman of the House Transportation Committee.
The bill requires transportation providers—including passenger airlines, transit agencies, and ridesharing companies—to establish formal policies, training, and reporting structures to effectively respond to incidents of sexual assault, harassment, and human trafficking.
“No one should ever be a victim of sexual assault or harassment, let alone while on public transportation. This bill will require training for transportation providers about sexual assault and trafficking, including how to recognize potential victims. The recent rape of a woman on a Philadelphia-area train is a grim reminder that more needs to be done to better protect the public,” said Dawn Hawkins, CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
