Riding on a train is something a lot of us just have to do. They can be uncomfortable, cold and noisey. They can also be a haven for dysfunctional people who prey on others.
Throughout the world, a lot of governments and private enterprise have started to employee security guards or electronic security, like cameras, to protect the patrons of public transport. However, this is often insufficient.
Like all crime, it seems countries all over the world suffer from the same type of animals who see trains as an opportunity to isolate and attack people. You'll find some stories from around the world as well as tips on how to be safe on trains in this article.
Australian Train Terror
Concerns over railway security have been raised after a 40-year-old woman said she was raped while travelling on a train near Wollongong, on the NSW South Coast.
There were no railway security guards on duty when the woman was attacked at 6.30am on Sunday, South Coast Liberal MP Shelley Hancock said today.
Ms Hancock said CityRail transit officers have not been rostered to work on the Sydney-Wollongong South Coast line for at least the past two weekends.
"I have raised issues of safety and security on the CityRail line for some time but last weekend no transit officers at all were rostered on the South Coast line and there were apparently none this weekend either," she told reporters in Sydney.
"So, in the light of that, we have the allegation of a rape of a 40-year-old woman travelling in the morning at 6.30am...
Read the full article
Japanese Train Rape
Police have served another arrest warrant for a 36-year-old man already on trial for a similar rape earlier this year.
Takamitsu Uezono, a demolition worker from Shiga Prefecture, has admitted to raping a woman aboard a train last August, police said Sunday.
Police linked Uezono to the August rape through their investigation of a similar incident on a train this January in Shiga. Uezono is currently standing trial for the January rape.
Read the full article
Indian Disgrace
The rape of a 13-year-old girl in a suburban train in Bombay in the presence of five commuters has shocked police and raised questions over the safety of women in late-night trains in India's financial hub.
In the incident, which took place in the last train bound for Borivli suburb last Tuesday, drunk labourer Salim Khan allegedly assaulted the mentally-disabled girl in a second class compartment.
The violent act was witnessed by five commuters, including a prominent journalist from one of the leading dailies in the country, who were travelling in the same compartment.
"There were five of them in the train. All they had to do was to pull the chain in the train or shout at earlier stations such as Malad and Kandivli where the train halts," said Rakesh Maria, commissioner of railway police.
The journalist, Ambarish Mishra of the Times of India, said he tried to stop the rape but was threatened with being thrown out of the moving train by the attacker.
Read the full article
Safety Tips When You're on a Train
Having a personal alarm or pepper spray for protection is not a bad idea, but you need to check the legality of such items where you are- Some phones are now being marketed with their own personal alarms.
Never get on the empty car, you need to stay with other people just in case. Try to ride during peak hours rather than quiet times. It might be crowded but there's less chance of an attack. If the train is empty, ride closest to the driver.
Like all crime, it seems countries all over the world suffer from the same type of animals who see trains as an opportunity to isolate and attack people. You'll find some stories from around the world as well as tips on how to be safe on trains in this article.
Australian Train Terror
Concerns over railway security have been raised after a 40-year-old woman said she was raped while travelling on a train near Wollongong, on the NSW South Coast.
There were no railway security guards on duty when the woman was attacked at 6.30am on Sunday, South Coast Liberal MP Shelley Hancock said today.
Ms Hancock said CityRail transit officers have not been rostered to work on the Sydney-Wollongong South Coast line for at least the past two weekends.
"I have raised issues of safety and security on the CityRail line for some time but last weekend no transit officers at all were rostered on the South Coast line and there were apparently none this weekend either," she told reporters in Sydney.
"So, in the light of that, we have the allegation of a rape of a 40-year-old woman travelling in the morning at 6.30am...
Read the full article
Japanese Train Rape
Police have served another arrest warrant for a 36-year-old man already on trial for a similar rape earlier this year.
Takamitsu Uezono, a demolition worker from Shiga Prefecture, has admitted to raping a woman aboard a train last August, police said Sunday.
Police linked Uezono to the August rape through their investigation of a similar incident on a train this January in Shiga. Uezono is currently standing trial for the January rape.
Read the full article
Indian Disgrace
The rape of a 13-year-old girl in a suburban train in Bombay in the presence of five commuters has shocked police and raised questions over the safety of women in late-night trains in India's financial hub.
In the incident, which took place in the last train bound for Borivli suburb last Tuesday, drunk labourer Salim Khan allegedly assaulted the mentally-disabled girl in a second class compartment.
The violent act was witnessed by five commuters, including a prominent journalist from one of the leading dailies in the country, who were travelling in the same compartment.
"There were five of them in the train. All they had to do was to pull the chain in the train or shout at earlier stations such as Malad and Kandivli where the train halts," said Rakesh Maria, commissioner of railway police.
The journalist, Ambarish Mishra of the Times of India, said he tried to stop the rape but was threatened with being thrown out of the moving train by the attacker.
Read the full article
Safety Tips When You're on a Train
Having a personal alarm or pepper spray for protection is not a bad idea, but you need to check the legality of such items where you are- Some phones are now being marketed with their own personal alarms.
Never get on the empty car, you need to stay with other people just in case. Try to ride during peak hours rather than quiet times. It might be crowded but there's less chance of an attack. If the train is empty, ride closest to the driver.
Keep personal items in your lap or close by.
When you get on a train, look around and check for an emergency cord or help button. It's a good idea to know where these things are before you need to use them.
While waiting, don't start talking on your phone. Thieves know you're a great target because your mind is on the conversation you're having, not on what is happening around you. Get off the phone and stay alert.
Trust your senses. If you ever feel like something is not safe, like a dark train stop, wait for a stop that is busy and get off there. Change your seat if you feel like someone is watching you.
Most important of all. If you experience any problems protect yourself first, as your property can always be replaced but you can’t.
Self Defence
Many people turn to self defence implements or skills to stay safe. Learning a martial art can be expensive but rewarding. It can also boost your confidence in everyday situations like communicating with people.
Another way to defend yourself is by using an implement. Pepper spray and other sprays like Mace are very common.
Pepper spray is an inflammatory made up of capsicum. It causes immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing. The duration of its effects depend on the strength of the spray but on average lasts around thirty to forty-five minutes, with diminished effects lasting for hours.
Pepper spray comes in aerosol canisters and the legalities of its use vary all around the world.
In Canada all products with a label containing the words pepper spray, mace, etc, or otherwise originally produced for use on humans are classified as a prohibited weapon. Only Peace Officers, and individuals/corporations who have special government permits may legally carry or possess pepper spray. Any similar canister with the labels reading "dog spray" and/or "bear spray" may be legally carried by anyone. The legality of using spray intended for animal deterent on a person would be decided in court on a case-by-case basis. 
In Germany pepper sprays labelled for the purpose of defense against animals may be owned and carried by anyone. Such sprays are not legally considered as weapons. Carrying it at (or on the way to and from) demonstrations may still be punished. Sprays that are not labelled "animal-defense spray" or do not bear the test mark of the Materialprüfungsanstalt(MPA) (material testing institute) are classified as prohibited weapons. Justified use against humans as self-defense is allowed. CS sprays bearing a test mark of the MPA may be owned and carried by anyone over the age of 14.
In Germany pepper sprays labelled for the purpose of defense against animals may be owned and carried by anyone. Such sprays are not legally considered as weapons. Carrying it at (or on the way to and from) demonstrations may still be punished. Sprays that are not labelled "animal-defense spray" or do not bear the test mark of the Materialprüfungsanstalt(MPA) (material testing institute) are classified as prohibited weapons. Justified use against humans as self-defense is allowed. CS sprays bearing a test mark of the MPA may be owned and carried by anyone over the age of 14.
