Women’s Perceived Precautionary Safety on public transit — A life course perspective on harassment experiences, anxiety, and coping behaviour

Personal safety is a critical factor for women and has an impact on all decisions related to transit journeys. Women are acutely aware of the vulnerability due to their gender and a higher likelihood of becoming a victim of harassment, in particular sexual harassment. The present study contributes by measuring the impact of harassment experiences (verbal and physical) on perceived safety through the adoption of precautionary measures termed as ‘Perceived Precautionary Safety (PPS)’ in this study. The study also examines the impact of past harassment experience during their youth (age under 18). Using data from a panel-based online survey of 528 women rail users in Melbourne, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to examine how different forms of harassment influence perceived safety and anxiety-related traits. Results show that both verbal and physical harassment significantly influence PPS. Verbal harassment experience increases PPS, indicating it prompts precautionary personal safety measures in transit. Notably, verbal harassment typically occurs more frequently than physical harassment. However, physical assault has a stronger negative effect on perceived safety, even when precautionary measures are in place. Verbal harassment is strongly associated to higher anxiety traits. Harassment experienced in adolescence significantly undermines PPS, as indicated by a negative correlation. Moreover, low-frequency travel after dark, tram use, women from a culturally diverse background are also linked to lower level of PPS. Regression analysis reveals that women who experienced harassment on transit during adolescence are more likely to reduce rail use in adulthood. Findings underline the emotional toll of harassment and the importance of trauma-informed safety planning in transit.