Sexual misconduct on crowded airlines is happening more often (Los Angeles Times — Hugo Martin), and airlines – like all corporations – can do quite a bit towards preventing it.
Sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse impact all of us. With these acts often occurring in public places, it’s not surprising that reports of misconduct on commercial flights are on the rise.
Here are some key ways that airlines can do more to prevent sexual violence during flights:
Adopt a standard set of protocols for addressing incidents of sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse;
Offer better sexual violence prevention training for staff;
Collect better data on reports of sexual assault incidents; and
Consistently remind passengers that these behaviors are not acceptable, and that airlines are prioritizing the safety of passengers and crews.
“That proximity of an airplane makes it extra uncomfortable. […] They could start doing some consistent messaging and campaigning to let them know it’s a priority.”
From college campuses to the military, we know that raising awareness about sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse is an important step to preventing these types of bad behaviors from happening and ensuring victims can safely report any experiences of sexual violence. Passengers deserve to feel safe and respected while traveling, and airlines must ensure that message is always communicated.