Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Sexual Harassment On Metro Is Slightly Down
Riding the Metro (Photo by Gary Kavanagh via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
It's too early to tell if Metro's efforts to cut down on sexual harassment are working, but the most recent rider survey shows that the numbers are slightly down.Metro's blog The Source released the results of their customer survey, collected from almost 20,000 riders in the Spring of this year, in which 18% of bus riders and 21% of train riders say they experienced "any form of sexual harassment." Although not a drastic decrease, both figures are down from the 22% on the last survey. Also new to the most recent survey is differentiation between different types of sexual harassment. On both buses and trains, 7% of riders say they were subject to groping, fondling, or any other form of unwanted contact. For non-physical harassment, 14% of bus riders say they were victimized while the number is slightly higher at 17% for train riders.
The data also includes incidents of indecent exposure that riders experienced, with 7% of bus riders and 10% of train riders. "That number strikes me as high but it should also be understood that various riders may have various criteria for what they consider indecent exposure," the post reads. "In other words, that's a number that includes those who may be underdressed." The sheriff's department says they receive very few calls about indecent exposure or flashing.
While it's promising that the numbers have, it's still distressing that the number of riders reporting sexual harassment still hovers around 1-in-5. We don't have the raw data, but it feels almost like this drop just falls within the error bars of the last survey.
Another interesting figure collected in this year's survey is the number of riders who use a skateboard, with 2% of bus riders and 3% of train riders. "Unlike bikes, skateboards are very portable and easy to bring aboard a bus or train," reads Metro's assessment.
Support for LAist comes from
Overall, though, riders seem satisfied with their Metro experience. Rail riders' satisfaction remains high at around 90%, while bus riders saw an uptick from last year's figure of around 85%.
Check out of the rest of the survey results below:
()
(via The Source)
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist