Are women-only cars (WOC) a solution to groping? A survey among college students in Tokyo/Kanagawa, Japan

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the groping of women in public transport in Tokyo/Kanagawa as well as its impact on victims. This research analyses riders’ perception of countermeasures against this sexual offence, in particular, women-only cars (WOC). The study is based on a survey conducted in June 2018 among college students in Tokyo/Kanagawa, Japan. Findings suggest that approximately 25% of women have experienced groping in the past three years, most often on trains than on buses. Victimised women perceive groping more often as a problem than those who have not been affected. Women-only cars are considered to be a suitable solution but not as effective as surveillance cameras or increased police patrols. Implications of the results for research and policy are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Groping on trains
• commuter lines
• sexual harassment
• safety perception
• women-only train cars
• college students

Acknowledgments

I am grateful to Professor Vania Ceccato and Professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris for coordinating the international project on women’s transit safety. The survey in this study was partially supported by the 2018 Grant-in-Aid for Special Project (A) from Sagami Women’s University. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the research ethics committee of Sagami Women’s University (approval No: 18006). The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The survey in this study was supported in part by the 2018 Grant-in-Aid for Special Project (A) from Sagami Women’s University.

Notes on contributors

Seiji Shibata

Seiji Shibata is a professor at the Department of Human Psychology at Sagami Women’s University, Kanagawa, Japan. He is an environmental psychologist and holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. His research interests include perceptions about safety and security in public spaces. He is currently a president of the Japanese Society of Environmental Psychology and also an editorial member of the MERA Journal, which is published by the Men-Environment Research Association, Japan.