PT KAI and Community Commit to Preventing Harassment in Bandung Operational Area

Railways must be safe, comfortable public spaces free from all forms of sexual harassment. The public is urged not to be afraid to report if they experience or witness acts of harassment. Prevention and handling of harassment is a shared responsibility between operators, law enforcement, communities, and all public transport users. Therefore, collaboration between PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), the police, academics, communities, and the public is crucial in creating safe public transport. This conclusion emerged from an anti-harassment talk show focused on women and children in the railway environment, themed ‘Safe Public Spaces for All, Together Prevent Sexual Harassment’. The talk show was held by PT KAI Operational Area 2 Bandung and the Indonesia Railway Preservation Society (IRPS) at Bandung Station on Thursday (23/7). Four speakers were present: Hendro Wahyono, Executive Vice President of KAI Daop 2 Bandung; Antik Bintari, Chair of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (PPKS) at Padjadjaran University; Police Inspector Cecep, Head of the Women and Children Service Unit at Bandung Police; and Tantra Madhyartha Pradhana from IRPS. Opening the event, IRPS official Denny Surya Darma expressed the community’s strong hope for a railway system free from sexual harassment. He stated that the talk show was held to raise public awareness, encouraging people to be more aware of harassment issues and to speak out, thereby reducing the number of incidents. Hendro Wahyono acknowledged an increase in reported cases, noting that while 14 cases were processed last year, nine cases have already been recorded in the first half of this year. He emphasised PT KAI Daop 2 Bandung’s strong commitment to preventing and following up on every case of sexual harassment on trains and in station areas. Every reported incident will be acted upon, and if victims wish to pursue legal action, the company will provide assistance. For prevention, PT KAI has improved facilities and infrastructure, including the recent installation of CCTV in every train carriage. A 24-hour hotline, 121, is also available, and contact numbers are displayed in each carriage for immediate reporting. Hendro stressed that all station staff are ready to receive reports from the public, with the hope that the KAI environment becomes a completely safe space. Antik Bintari highlighted the importance of continuous public education on sexual harassment, aiming for a zero-tolerance approach. She praised PT KAI as an example of a transport company committed to creating safe public spaces. Police Inspector Cecep encouraged the public to be brave in speaking out and reporting if they become victims of sexual harassment in public areas, noting that reported cases have been increasing annually. Tantra Madhyartha called on the railway enthusiast community to play an active role in prevention, starting from individual awareness.