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Jeremy Corbyn would consider women-only rail carriages Jeremy Corbyn sparks women-only train carriage row
(about 1 hour later)
Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has said he would consider women-only rail carriages to help stem a rise in assaults on public transport.Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has said he would consider women-only rail carriages to help stem a rise in assaults on public transport.
Mr Corbyn says he will consult women on the suggestion. Mr Corbyn told The Independent he will consult women on the suggestion.
The Independent says he will also call for a 24-hour hotline for reporting harassment and assault. Bu the idea was attacked as outdated and unhelpful by his Labour leadership rivals Yvette Cooper and Andy Burnham.
Conservative women's minister Nicky Morgan said she was "uncomfortable" with the idea, which she said sounded like "segregation". And other critics, including Conservative women's minister Nicky Morgan, said it smacked of "segregation".
And Mr Corbyn's Labour leadership rival Yvette Cooper said it would be "turning the clock back not tackling the problem".
Ms Cooper, who is calling for stronger laws to protect women from violence and harassment, added: "We shouldn't have to shut ourselves away from men for our own safety.
"The staff needed to enforce the segregated carriages should be keeping all the carriages safe instead."
It comes after British Transport Police (BTP) figures suggested sex offences on trains and at stations had risen by 25% to record levels.It comes after British Transport Police (BTP) figures suggested sex offences on trains and at stations had risen by 25% to record levels.
'Simply unacceptable' 'Turning back clock'
Mr Corbyn said: "My intention would be to make public transport safer for everyone from the train platform, to the bus stop to the mode of transport itself. Mr Corbyn said: "My intention would be to make public transport safer for everyone from the train platform to the bus stop to the mode of transport itself.
"However, I would consult with women and open it up to hear their views on whether women-only carriages would be welcome - and also if piloting this at times and [on] modes of transport where harassment is reported most frequently would be of interest.""However, I would consult with women and open it up to hear their views on whether women-only carriages would be welcome - and also if piloting this at times and [on] modes of transport where harassment is reported most frequently would be of interest."
According to the Independent, he will say it is "simply unacceptable" that many females have to adapt their daily lives to avoid being harassed in public, including while using public transport.According to the Independent, he will say it is "simply unacceptable" that many females have to adapt their daily lives to avoid being harassed in public, including while using public transport.
Tory MP Sarah Wollaston has said the women-only carriages proposal would not protect anyone. The Independent said he will also call for a 24-hour hotline for reporting harassment and assault.
Mrs Wollaston, chair of the health select committee, tweeted: that segregating women on public transport "just normalises unacceptable attitudes". Mr Corbyn's proposal was seized on by his Labour leadership rivals, who said it would not help cut violence against women.
She went on: "In countries where women are segregated on public transport, this is a marker for disempowerment, not safety." Yvette Cooper said it would be "turning the clock back, not tackling the problem".
'Segregate people' 'Society-wide strategy'
Women's minister Nicky Morgan said: "It seems to me not to tackle the issue, which is women should feel safe and free from harassment on public transport. Ms Cooper, who is calling for stronger laws to protect women from violence and harassment, added: "We shouldn't have to shut ourselves away from men for our own safety.
"It seems to say 'let's segregate people', rather than tackling the issue." "The staff needed to enforce the segregated carriages should be keeping all the carriages safe instead."
Andy Burnham said: "In this day and age, we shouldn't be even considering the idea of segregated train travel.
"As a dad of two young girls, I want to see a proper society-wide strategy on tackling violence against women."
Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the health select committee, said women-only carriages "just normalise unacceptable attitudes".
She added: "In countries where women are segregated on public transport, this is a marker for disempowerment, not safety."
'Good idea'
Everyday Sexism campaigner Laura Bates also rejected the idea, saying on Twitter: "Women-only carriages suggest harassment/sexual violence is innate & inevitable so women's responsibility to avoid."
But journalist and Jeremy Corbyn supporter Rahila Gupta said: "If there is a demand and it makes women feel safe then it's a good idea."
Rail minister Claire Perry suggested introducing women-only carriages in September last year. Compartments solely for females were last used on UK railways in 1977.Rail minister Claire Perry suggested introducing women-only carriages in September last year. Compartments solely for females were last used on UK railways in 1977.
Countries that have introduced train carriages only for females include Mexico, Japan, India and Indonesia.Countries that have introduced train carriages only for females include Mexico, Japan, India and Indonesia.
BTP recorded 1,399 sexual offences in 2014-15 in England, Scotland and Wales - up 282 on the previous year.BTP recorded 1,399 sexual offences in 2014-15 in England, Scotland and Wales - up 282 on the previous year.
The force said the rise in sex crime figures was mainly because of a campaign to encourage reporting of these offences, which was launched in London in 2013 after a survey suggested that 90% of such attacks went unreported.The force said the rise in sex crime figures was mainly because of a campaign to encourage reporting of these offences, which was launched in London in 2013 after a survey suggested that 90% of such attacks went unreported.
Labour leadership contest
Do you think women-only rail carriages are a good idea? Would you feel safer in a women-only rail carriage? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Do you think women-only rail carriages are a good idea? Would you feel safer in a women-only rail carriage? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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