PT KAI and Community Commit to Preventing Harassment in Bandung Operational Area
Trains must be a safe, comfortable public space free from all forms of sexual harassment. To that end, the public is urged not to be afraid to report if they experience or witness harassment.
Preventing and handling harassment is a shared responsibility between the operator, law enforcement, communities and all users of public transport. It is therefore vital to build collaboration between PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), the police, academics, communities and the public in creating safe public transport.
These conclusions emerged from a talkshow on the Prevention of Harassment Against Women and Children in the Railway Environment, themed “A Safe Public Space for All: Together Preventing Sexual Harassment”.
The talkshow was organised by PT KAI Operational Area 2 Bandung and the Indonesia Railway Preservation Society (IRPS) at Bandung railway station on Thursday (23/7).
Four speakers were featured: Hendro Wahyono, Executive Vice President of KAI Daop 2 Bandung; Antik Bintari, head of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (PPKS) at Universitas Padjadjaran; First Inspector Cecep, head of the Women and Children Services Unit of Bandung Metropolitan Police; and Tantra Madhyartha Pradhana of IRPS Bandung.
Opening the event, IRPS official Denny Surya Darma said that, as a community of railway enthusiasts, his side strongly hoped trains would be free from sexual harassment.
“This talkshow is being held to raise public awareness of the issue of harassment, so that people are more alert, willing to speak up and help reduce the number of incidents,” he said.
RISING CASES
On the occasion, Hendro acknowledged an increase in harassment cases on trains. “Last year, we processed 14 cases over a full year. This year, in only half a year, there have already been nine incidents,” he explained.
PT KAI Daop 2 Bandung, he continued, is strongly committed to preventing and following up on every case of sexual harassment on trains and in station areas. Every reported incident will be acted upon.
“If victims wish for their case to be pursued legally, we will provide assistance,” he said.
As for prevention, PT KAI is also continually improving its facilities and infrastructure. Among the latest measures, the company has installed CCTV in every carriage.
Previously, PT KAI provided a 121 hotline available 24 hours a day. In addition, every carriage displays contact numbers that passengers can call if harassment occurs on board.
“At stations, all PT KAI personnel are ready to receive reports from members of the public who experience or witness harassment. We very much hope that PT KAI’s environment becomes a safe space, so that sexual harassment does not occur,” Hendro said.
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTREACH
Meanwhile, Antik Bintari stressed the importance of continuing public education about sexual harassment. Outreach must not stop, and anyone can carry it out.
The aim, she continued, is to jointly create zero tolerance towards acts of sexual harassment.
“PT KAI is an example of a transport company committed to creating a safe public space. The government must provide the best services and safe spaces for the public,” she asserted.
At the same event, First Inspector Cecep urged the public to speak up and shout out if they become victims of sexual harassment in public spaces.
“The number of sexual harassment cases reported to the police continues to rise year on year. One way to reduce cases is to encourage people to speak up and dare to report if they become victims,” he said.
An appeal was also made to the railway enthusiast community by Tantra Madhyartha to take part in preventing sexual harassment. “We start with the small things, with ourselves,” he said.