This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/german-rail-operator-mitteldeutsche-regiobahn-women-only-train-carriages-cologne-sex-attacks-a6957446.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| German rail operator denies claims women-only train carriages are response to Cologne sex attacks | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A German rail operator has introduced women-only carriages to some of its train carriages but denied the move is a response to the recent spate of high-profile sex attacks. | A German rail operator has introduced women-only carriages to some of its train carriages but denied the move is a response to the recent spate of high-profile sex attacks. |
| The move, which comes days after the first suspect of the Cologne sex attacks was charged with a sex crime, has been widely reported as being linked to sex crimes that have been blamed on migrants by far-right activists. | The move, which comes days after the first suspect of the Cologne sex attacks was charged with a sex crime, has been widely reported as being linked to sex crimes that have been blamed on migrants by far-right activists. |
| However, the company introducing the changes, Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn, has denied the new carriages are linked to the Cologne attacks. | However, the company introducing the changes, Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn, has denied the new carriages are linked to the Cologne attacks. |
| It said the measures were intended to encourage a safer atmosphere for all female travellers in general. | It said the measures were intended to encourage a safer atmosphere for all female travellers in general. |
| Children, including boys up to the age of ten, will also be allowed to ride in the carriages, which run on the 50-mile Leipzig to Chemnitz line. | Children, including boys up to the age of ten, will also be allowed to ride in the carriages, which run on the 50-mile Leipzig to Chemnitz line. |
| The carriage will be situated next to an office for train staff. | The carriage will be situated next to an office for train staff. |
| “The local proximity to the customer service representative is chosen deliberately,” a Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn spokesman said. | “The local proximity to the customer service representative is chosen deliberately,” a Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn spokesman said. |
| Women-only carriages are used frequently in countries such as Japan, India, Mexico, Brazil, Egypt and Indonesia in an attempt to prevent sexual assaults. | Women-only carriages are used frequently in countries such as Japan, India, Mexico, Brazil, Egypt and Indonesia in an attempt to prevent sexual assaults. |
| In the UK, the Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, suggested women-only areas on public transport could be used to reduce sexual harassment. | In the UK, the Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, suggested women-only areas on public transport could be used to reduce sexual harassment. |
| However, his suggestions were accused by women’s rights groups of being regressive. | However, his suggestions were accused by women’s rights groups of being regressive. |
| They said the focus of tackling sexual harassment should be on the perpetrators rather than potential victims. | They said the focus of tackling sexual harassment should be on the perpetrators rather than potential victims. |
| On Thursday, a 26-year-old Algerian man was charged with sexual assault and theft in relation to the incidents in Cologne. | On Thursday, a 26-year-old Algerian man was charged with sexual assault and theft in relation to the incidents in Cologne. |
| He is the first person to be formally accused of being involved on the disorder on New Year’s Eve in the West German city. | He is the first person to be formally accused of being involved on the disorder on New Year’s Eve in the West German city. |
| More than 1,100 criminal complaints were received in relation to the events New Year’s Eve in Cologne, including over 480 accusations of sexual assault. | More than 1,100 criminal complaints were received in relation to the events New Year’s Eve in Cologne, including over 480 accusations of sexual assault. |
| There was controversy in some quarters over a perceived cover-up because of the alleged ethnicity of the attackers, described by many witnesses as of North African or Arab appearance. | There was controversy in some quarters over a perceived cover-up because of the alleged ethnicity of the attackers, described by many witnesses as of North African or Arab appearance. |