Transport company De Lijn registered 135 reports of sexually transgressive behavior on vehicles or at stops last year. That is 45 more than the 90 reports in 2021, an increase of 50 percent. This is evident from figures requested by Flemish Member of Parliament Katrien Schryvers (CD&V).
While the number of reports of sexually transgressive behavior at De Lijn has been fairly stable in recent years, there was a clear increase in 2022. In one year, the public transport company received 45 more reports, an increase of 50 percent.
Most of the 135 reports (78) involved transgressive behavior on De Lijn vehicles. The increase in the number of reports of undesirable situations at stops is striking. There is more than a doubling from 18 reports in 2021 to 44 in 2022.
According to Flemish member of parliament Schryvers, the figures seem to show that there is a greater willingness to address transgressive behaviour. Although, according to her, the actual number of undesirable situations on public transport remains “probably much higher”.
“Reporting is crucial”
The step to effectively report is also crucial. “On the one hand, the perpetrators can be traced, and on the other hand De Lijn also receives more reliable figures and information about where and when incidents occur,” says Schryvers.
The CD&V politician suggests making it possible to report cross-border behavior via the app. That could lower the threshold, she says. “Sexually transgressive behavior can have a major impact on victims. We must therefore do everything we can to stop the phenomenon,” concludes Schryvers.
Read also: De Lijn bus driver and angry passenger fight while other passengers watch: “Displeased because he was not allowed to get off”
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