“Everyone travelling on Britain’s railways has the right to feel safe on trains and at stations”
“Everyone travelling on Britain’s railways has the right to feel safe on trains and at stations”
Madeline Sidgwick and Billy Gough
10:42, 07 Nov 2025
Merseyrail passengers were given a virtual reality experience to help them recognise the signs of sexual harassment on the railway and understand how to respond safely and appropriately. Liverpool Central station hosted an event to demonstrate how to identify unwanted behaviours and provides practical guidance on what to do if you witness or experience harassment.
The Echo had the opportunity to attend the event and speak to both the organisers and people who tried the VR experience. The differing reactions to the experiences played in the VR headsets, specifically between men and women, revealed how normalised experiences of sexual harassment are in the minds of the women that experience them.
Kate Chadwick and Emma Kennedy from the charity, Tomorrow’s Women Wirral were among those who tried the immersive experience.
They said it was “really impactful” and said “women too easily minimise and normalise experiences.”
The event highlighted how women can report any instances to 61016, no matter how big or small they may deem their experience.
Among members of the public trying out the experience was Corrinne McGinty, who said it was positive that “we are encouraging the community to come together against harassment.”
Suzanne Grant, deputy managing director at Merseyrail, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our top priority.
“Whilst most tell us they feel safe when using the Merseyrail network, we want everyone who travels with us to feel confident and secure.
“This VR experience is a powerful way to help customers recognise unwanted behaviour and know how to respond.
“By raising awareness and providing clear guidance, we can create an environment where everyone feels safe on our network.”
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO at Rail Delivery Group, added: “Everyone travelling on Britain’s railways has the right to feel safe on trains and at stations.
“We are actively tackling all forms of harassment and by showcasing our immersive VR experience at stations nationwide, we’re equipping individuals with the tools to intervene in situations safely, as a bystander, without putting themselves in harm’s way.”
Research commissioned by the rail industry found that 85% of women would feel relieved if someone acknowledged or responded to incidents of sexual harassment on public transport.
A survey by UN Women UK revealed that 71% of women in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and building customer confidence.
Merseyrail carries approximately 90,000 passengers per weekday.
